Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

Chiropractic Care Is Effective In Treating Hiatal Hernia

There have been online articles about how some Chiropractors claimed that they could rewire human DNA through their treatment! Whether this is true or false is subject to several discussions and researches. However, over the years, Chiropractic care has been beneficial in treating several physical ailments. One of the illnesses includes hiatal hernia. It is a common medical condition that most people hear about. But not everyone knows what to do with it. If it’s left untreated, this hernia can lead to many other pain symptoms and other issues. Chiropractic care can help!

Understanding Hiatal Hernia

Within our digestive system, there is the digestive muscle that enables the food to move through the mouth to our stomach. It takes place through an opening knows as hiatus. The condition where the stomach pushes up through the opening and runs into our chest cavity, there’s hiatal hernia. There’s a sensitive nerve that moves through the hiatus, might become pressed or pinched, and lead to several health issues. Opting in for Chiropractic care at the earliest is the best solution. To know more about this, you can check out the hiatal hernia chiropractic Active Edge.

Signs of Hiatal Hernia

It is rather strange that a person might not have symptoms of this disease. Sometimes, doctors also refer to it as stomach hernia. There might be people going on with their lives with this condition and not realize it. Some of the symptoms include stomach ulcers, shortness of breath, and acid reflux.

There’s the vagus nerve that moves from our brain to the chest, neck, lungs, and heart and further travels close to the hiatus. In case of hiatal hernia, the vagus nerve can get irritated, resulting in maximizing the stomach enzymes, heart palpitations, acid, and various other chronic issues.

How can Chiropractic care help?

When managing the body’s central and skeletal system, an expert Chiropractor can assist their patients with problems linked with hiatal hernia. It helps to bring down the tightness as well as the limiting areas which might press on the vagus nerve that leads to symptoms causing discomfort or pain. By assisting the central nervous system so that it functions well, the body can heal itself completely.

Some chiropractors claim that they can treat hiatal hernia with Chiropractic adjustments. Through movements and application of force, they can push the stomach to its proper position, which is below your diaphragm muscle. Most chiropractors use their hands to exert pressure and force onto the patient’s abdomen and manage the stomach position. And this way, he/she can minimize the restriction and tightness of the vagus nerve channel. But today, there’s more medical research and studies are required to call this method as a proven method to cure hiatal hernia. That doesn’t mean you can’t opt-in for this under the guidance of an expert Chiropractor. However, if there is more evidence, it will help people make better decisions.

Popping in pills will make you get caught up in an endless loop of taking medicines. The body can heal itself. With Chiropractic care, you can treat hiatal hernia by following the necessary instructions by the Chiropractic practitioner and other medical doctors involved in the treatment process.

9 Ways Your Baby Shows Love

Even if your little one can’t speak yet, they can still do plenty to let you know they care about you, mom! Here are 5 ways they express their care for you.

1. Voice recognition

Do you say something and baby seems interested in your words? Don’t let that surprise you as the baby fell in love with you in the womb and is still mesmerized by your tone.

2. Big eyes

They’re staring at you and while it might make you feel pressure to be your best, know it’s because they’re trying to take in everything about their parent. It’s a good thing!

Eye contact means they care and are inquisitive about their environment, which includes you, of course. When you put them to bed, watch them as they watch you and use eye contact as a bonding experience.

3. Using your gestures

Is your little sweetie mimicking you? They say copying is the sincerest form of flattery so take it as a compliment!

When the newborn is affectionate back at you as you nuzzle in and kiss them, that’s a sure-fire sign they care about you. Just as much as you do about them.

4. Looking to you for safety

If they’re scared, do they hide behind your leg? Does your boy or girl come up to you looking uneasy and confide in you about a bully or another issue?

They’re looking to you for protection because they trust you. And that’s love if I ever said it!

Start the protective behavior from the time they’re young by choosing a safe double stroller front and back for your little ones.

5. Smiles and more smiles

Smiling is a genuine show of affection. As your baby raises your mouth into a smile, know that they’re doing so because they’re happy.

It’s a sweet gesture that you’ll likely never get enough of as they get older. And it’s what’ll get you through those long nights when you’re up and down comforting them as they cry.

6. They’re there for you too

Let’s face it, days are long and you’re sometimes (okay, a lot) sleep-deprived with an infant. So you might shed some tears of exhaustion now and then in front of the family.

If your little bundle of joy reaches out for a hug or grabs your hand while you’re tearing up, well that’s absolutely a sign they care about you (okay, a lot). As they get older, they might offer to clean up their playroom too if you’re having a bad day.

7. When you come home…

Your baby is super excited. From the laughing to the smiles, there’s a lot of good things that come with your return home after work or an errand when they’re baby-sat by loved ones.

As they get older, they’ll likely come for a hug or jump up and down excitedly when you come through the door. Oh yes, these moments of a happy baby are the best things in life, really!

8. Saying I love you

When your baby starts to talk, watch for these three amazing words: I love you.

Once they say them to you, life will forever be altered, in a good way. And when they’re growing and start to fight with you, don’t consider that a sign that they don’t care but indeed a sign of quite the opposite – they care enough about the family to have real, deep emotions about it.

9. Arms up

Finally, when your sweet baby holds his or her arms up to get picked up, that’s a sure sign that you’re someone they want to be close to. They desire your embrace, which cannot even be put into words.

Expressing themselves in this way warms the heart. It’s a sign that a bond is growing, as are the other 8 signs that your baby loves you.

5 Style Hacks for Busy Working Moms

From waking up in the morning trying to get everyone ready in a matter of minutes, including yourself, to getting back home and picking up piles of toys and clothes off the floor, while preparing lunch for the family, the life of a working mom can be hectic and oftentimes completely out of control. With such a busy schedule, it’s no surprise you end up in a style rut every once in a while. Thankfully, the answer to that is quite simple – just make your everyday fashion routine practical and time-efficient with these incredible style hacks:

1. Minimize your wardrobe

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is thinking you need a lot of clothes in order to be stylish. The key to a functional wardrobe is the right combination of quality, versatile and timeless pieces. All of your clothes should be in classic cuts and styles, and in one solid color, preferably soft or neutral-toned. These items will be the building blocks of your wardrobe that you can easily mix and match into endless fashionable outfits. If you want to keep things a bit more interesting, you can always add a few statement pieces to your closet that will showcase your personal style to the world. If you like following fall fashion trends, for example, you can incorporate bright red, mustard and rust tones into your wardrobe.

2. Upgrade individual items

Instead of changing out your entire wardrobe in order to look more polished, try upgrading only one part of your outfit. For example, you can swap out your yoga pans for chinos or a comfortable pair of straight leg jeans, and you can even decide to wear a roomy A-line dress or skirt instead of that old pair of cut-out shorts. A classic yet stylish button-down shirt is one of the easiest ways to upgrade any outfit. Simply by rolling the sleeves up and tucking the shirt into your bottoms, either opting for a full or a French tuck, you can look casual enough for running errands around town or taking your kids to the park, while still being put-together and appearing as if you put a lot of time and effort into the outfit.

3. Don’t forget to accessorize

The right accessories can truly make or break any outfit, and they’re the ideal way to elevate any plain or casual look. Simply wearing a silk scarf or a wide-brimmed hat with your everyday outfits can add some dimension and interest to your look, and make you seem more polished and put-together. However, one of the best ways to accessorize is by wearing elegant jewelry pieces that perfectly showcase your personal style. For example, you can opt for beautiful Moon Magic jewelry that is made with gorgeous moonstones in light, pastel colors, which perfectly complement every fashionable outfit.

4. Invest in the right footwear

When it comes to fashion, shoes are truly the perfect place to splurge. Not only will high-quality, well taken care of footwear elevate any outfit you put on, but the right shoes can also seamlessly take you from the office to the playground, keeping you looking stylish and put-together. As a working mom, one of the best footwear options you can go for is sleek and comfortable flats in neutral colors, such as black, brown or nude. Whether it’s work attire or a casual everyday look, beautiful flat shoes can complement every outfit and truly impress with their elegant style.

5. Keep your closet organized

Even though the life of a working mom is often filled with stresses and tight schedules, try your hardest to set a couple of hours aside during the weekends to clean and organize your closet, as only doing this once will make it incredibly simple to maintain later. The most popular way of organizing a wardrobe is in two parts: by the type of item (top or bottom) and then by the color of the piece. Of course, an organization is quite a personal thing, so feel free to develop your own system that will work best for you. The goal is to keep your closet neat and organized, in order to spend less time trying to figure out what to wear every day.

With just a little bit of thought and preparation, getting dressed in the morning can be a piece of cake, no matter how busy you actually are. After all, any woman can look beautiful and feel confident in her personal style with these incredible fashion hacks.

Best Hairstyles You Should Consider in 2020

In 2019 we had a chance to see the best hairstyles on New York Fashion Week.

2020 is expected to be an iconic year in the fashion world. From accessories and high fashion to bridal and footwear, 2020 is ringing in the new decade with a blend of ultra-mod and vintage-chic looks.

Hairstyle trends are no exception to the changes 2020 is bringing. Here are some of the best hairstyles to consider in the next year.

Vintage Short Bobs

Bobs have been making a strong comeback over the past couple of years. Most recently, long bobs (also known as “lobs”) and blunt-edge bobs have been center stage. The short hairstyle has become one of the “must-have” trends over the last few years. Short layered bob hairstyle is really hot and trending nowadays. After reading this article you will get updated with Short Layered Bob Hairstyle For Fine Hair.

In 2020, bobs will evolve into a more vintage, Parisian look that invokes a sense of the 1920s. These cropped locks are left natural, allowing for the wind and humidity to create a tousled, romantic look. This upcoming trend is a fabulous hairstyle for those who like to be fashionable with minimal time to dedicate their efforts.

Bronze Locks

Everyone has been striving for the ice blonde and gray look in recent years. It’s time to put away the purple shampoo and embrace another shade.

Bronze blondes have more of a warm, golden honey hue to their hair with a subtle touch of orange. Think of a high-fashion version of strawberry blonde. This is an excellent color for the summer, as it not only catches the light but looks fantastic with bronzer.

The balayage and ombre looks of the recent past are still holding strong, and look fabulous with the bronze trend.

Contrasting Face Frame

Another dye-related hairstyle trend for 2020 is adding a contrasting shade to frame the face. This is often a subtle touch, such as a whiter shade of blond versus bronze. Others choose to take a more eye-catching approach, such as blonde against black or red.

This look works wonders for drawing attention to the face and works with virtually any haircut.

Edgy Straight Bangs

Straight bangs are back! Unlike the blunt fringe that was so popular at the start of the decade, the straight bangs of the 2020s are edgier. Look for a piecey look that adds dimension to your bangs or a more textured look that works great with thin hair.

Also, the “short bangs” are the new thing in the beauty world these days, or as they’ve been called fringe bangs. We’ve been seeing so many celebrities lately that it’s got us rethinking the bang. Gone are the days of the classic straight bangs, these are much edgier and channeling the Audrey Hepburn era!

This hairstyle is getting incorporated into other looks, like the vintage bob mentioned above.

Bowl Cuts

Maybe it’s because of the fame and nostalgia invoked by the hit Netflix show Stranger Things, but bowl cuts have made an astonishing comeback. This once exiled look is expected to be one of the hottest hair trends of 2020. Celebrities like Charlize Theron are bringing the bowl cut back and using it as the foundation for creating versatile looks.

The modernized bowl cut has a few quirks that set it apart from the cut of the past. First and foremost, the most significant difference is having it done by a professional stylist, rather than with an actual bowl in your kitchen. Next is incorporating other looks, like color transitions and moldable layers, to be able to reshape the look for events.

2020 promises to be a fun year for hairstyles. Get creative and be willing to experiment with some of these stylish looks.

You have to maintain your hair while it is in this protective style

You can spritz an oil, water and conditioner mix onto your scalp and seal with an oil, you can use sprays meant for braided hair, tea tree, oil, etc. It all depends on what your preference is. But you have to make sure that your hair is NOT dry. It will break and fall out when you decide to remove your protective style.

Also, you have to be very careful when you’re washing and treating your hair. Especially if it’s curly and dry. In this blog post, you can find some useful suggestions on how to take care of your hair.

Straight, Wavy, Curly, or Kinky?

Hair is either a blessing or a curse — chances are we don’t have to tell you which one of these two main hair categories you belong to. If your hair is straight, you’re a cause of envy worldwide. Other than being silky and smooth, straight hair is also the strongest type. The second hair type is best-known as beach hair. In a mermaid sort of fashion, locks take the shape of a stretched out S. When the S shape gets tighter, there are both loose and defined curls. If you’re this type, you don’t need a lot of hair care products to shape your curls. These are recommended products for curls by LikeLoveDo – Only Curls All Curl Cleanser, All Curl Conditioner, Only curls Hydrating Curl Creme, Enhancing Curl Gel. However, if you want to find more about your hair type check this article on africanamericanhairstyles.org.

Hair was and still is a prominent social activity, especially among women. During history, women had the opportunity to socialize while styling each other’s hair. The communal tradition of hair still exists today.

Classy, modern, and edgy, some Afro hairstyles can make your appearance more appealing. Brace yourself as below we are sharing some of the most creative hairstyles that will give you glamorous looks, for sure.

For example, Africa is rich with ancient hair traditions and styles. During this year, you can try some unique and trendy hairstyle and this article from africa.com could inspire your creativity.

Having curly hair has certainly great potential, but curly hair tends to get the most frizzy! It’s possible to fight the frizziness with some little tricks in our daily routine. In curly hair, the sebaceous secretion that gets produced by the scalp helps the curls keep the frizz under control. As a result, not washing your hair every day is a must! This is a suggestion that goes for any type of hair. Reducing washings even once a week, helps domesticate also the most rebellious hair. Hair should be washed only when the skin has excess of sebum.

So get creative start experimenting and see what styles you like to do that suits you for both work and play. The easiest protective style is a bun. You don’t need a degree to put your hair up and tuck your ends away to protect them. Head for the high street and pick up some accessories to give you options. Before any protective style take the opportunity to apply some nourishing oil, moisturizer, or hair butter to give your hair a great treatment at the same time.

Wavy hair has survived many seasons including ancient times and civilizations. It could be super cool to chose an organized, urban and in someway edgy look. For this year maybe the great suggestion for your new hairstyle could be Nigerian virgin hairstyle. One thing about hair weave is that it represents in some way the symbol of elegance.

Aside from natural hair being termed unprofessional, it can be a bit tiring when you haven’t mastered your hair. Some people love their hair but just don’t want to deal with it. That’s why there are hair salons. However, some days, you won’t be able to run to a hair salon. Picking up a Bobby pin to switch up a look is something you might want to master. Before you know it, you’ll be doing many fun things with your hair, because… natural hair is fun and versatile.

According to UniversalSalons.com one of the most popular hairstyle trends are still black hairstyles updos with braids. Professional hair stylists from around the United States have created the beautiful updos with braids hairstyles. Their work you can find inside this site’s gallery and those new hairstyle suggestions will make you feel like a whole new person. Also, you will find updates to old looks and fabulous examples of trendsetting hairstyles. They’re constantly updating the galleries with the hottest looks from some of the most published salons in the United States.

Angled Bob hairstyle

This summer is a perfect time to rock a protective style, such as braids, twists, locks, or cornrows. According to Treasured Locks, not only do these styles look amazing, but they’re also low maintenance. All you need to do is keep your scalp moisturized and your hair is good to go from the pool to hiking, to clubbing, or whatever else you have planned for your trip.

Space Buns

This style is perfect for when your hair just doesn’t want to cooperate with you or if you just want a cute switch up in your routine. Space buns are great to do in between washes because you need your hair to be a bit textured. If you’re struggling with this hairstyle take a look at this tutorial at myrevair.com and learn to make these buns like a pro.

Another hairstyle that can be used for curly hair is the simple layered style. Curly hair usually needs proper maintenance to maintain its look. You must not forget to wash your hair regularly and style it right after you have been washed. If you forget to wash your hair and only rinse it when it becomes dry, it will only damage your curly hair. Therefore, you should always be reminded of how to style your hair.

5 Tricks to Help Stressed Moms Chill Out

Even though being a mom is one of the most beautiful and rewarding things in life, we can all agree that it can also get extremely stressful at the same time. If you’re a mom who feels stressed out at the moment, just keep on reading because we’re here to help you out. Here are five useful tricks that can help you chill out, so check them out!

Learn your stress signs in the first place

Identifying your stress signs is the first and one of the most important things you should do. Once you figure out how you react to stress, you’ll be able to tune in to your body and understand how it works in stressful situations. Some of the most common stress signs include high blood pressure and increased heart rate that can make you feel dizzy. These symptoms can be unpleasant, which is why many people turn to natural remedies, such as CBD products from companies like Gold Bee and many more, in order to make themselves feel better. Besides these, some moms also tend to get very irritated and impatient while raising their voices at the same time, which can negatively affect their kids. When you notice any of these, you’ll know that you’re stressed out and that you need to calm down as soon as possible.

Make sure to stay physically active

Exercising is a very effective way to combat stress and take a break from your everyday routine, so make sure to be physically active. Even a brisk 15-minute walk can do wonders for your body if you don’t have enough time to go for a gym workout, so go for it as soon as you wake up and you’ll see what we were talking about. Apart from that, you can also pick an activity you can take part in as a family. Some of the available options are biking, swimming, and hiking in the woods near your hometown. Needless to say, exercising is one of the best ways to chill out and cope with stress, so don’t forget to give it a try!

Rely on natural remedies

When it comes to dealing with stress, we must say that aromatherapy is one of the most powerful natural remedies that can lower your stress levels and relieve anxiety. Even though it probably seems a bit silly, smelling soothing civizliedhealth.com essential oils can be extremely helpful, so start with lavender oil that can calm your mind and improve the quality of your sleep. The same goes for lemongrass essential oil that can promote relaxation and reduce the symptoms of anxiety. On the other hand, you can also opt for quality marijuana concentrates, which are getting increasingly popular among moms these days. These are known for helping you relax and sleep better, as well as for relieving pain, so give them a fair shot and you’ll see why more and more moms are relying on them!

Schedule date nights with your husband

Yes, we know that having a romantic date night with your husband is often an impossible mission, but you know what? You don’t have to spend a bunch of money and plan for a luxurious date – instead, find some time to spend it alone with your significant other, no matter where you are. This means that you can go for a walk in a park, watch a rented movie, or simply sit in the car in your driveway with a glass of wine and some cheese. Yes, we know that it seems funny, but you’ll quickly realize that spending time alone with your partner makes a huge difference. So, stay happy and stress-free and your kids will certainly appreciate that!

Don’t stop socializing

When a woman becomes a mom, she often tends to neglect her social needs and dedicate her time to her family only. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to spend time with your partner and kids, but you should remember that socializing should be an extremely important part of your mom’s life, too. Relationships with your close friends can help you restore balance and reduce your stress levels, so don’t neglect your best gals once you become a mom. Just try to spend more time with people you feel comfortable with and you’ll do a fantastic job!

As you can see, there are so many things you can do to help yourself relax and successfully lower your stress levels. If that’s your ultimate goal, all you need to do is to stick to our five useful tips and you’ll surely accomplish it, without a shadow of a doubt!

Tips for Parenting Active Boys

Are you raising kids who are a bundle of energy? You will struggle to keep up with them before they get out of that playful stage. Although every child is different, the following tips will help you to keep up with active and playful boys:

Exercise

You should incorporate some exercise into your daily routine. Whether you opt for active games or exercise activities, just make sure that you add plenty of activity to your day. With plenty of exercise, your kids will burn energy and release stress.

Moreover, it is important to form healthy habits earlier in life. Buy a first aid kit for treating cuts and scrapes that result from rough play. However, if your little one gets badly hurt, you should take him to hospitals such as Seaview Ortho foot and ankle for a checkup. Our health is important at any age. Growing kids need the support of proper footwear just as much as adults do so they can maintain correct body alignment and stay comfortable in their active lives. Kids’ shoe inserts can help flat shoes be comfortable and supportive, which is especially important for children who are active.

Come up with a Routine

Spontaneity is fun but you need to teach your kids how to stick to a routine. If you are dealing with a hyperactive child, he will thrive on routines. If it is bedtime, you should have a bedtime routine that your kids can follow. Without a bedtime routine, you will have a hard time getting your kids to sleep.

When coming up with a bedtime routine, you should make it clear that they are not allowed to act crazy. Tell your little ones to calm down and prepare for sleep.

Assign Age-appropriate Chores

You should show your little one that you trust him with little responsibilities such as watering a plant. Odds are that your little boy will take joy in the chore instead of sulking as a teenager would. Toddlers love to contribute to the house chores because it makes them feel like a part of the household.

When the chore is complete, your child will have burnt energy and you will have one less thing to do around the house. Moreover, natural consequences such as the death of a plant usually teach great lessons. The key is to ensure that you give your son age-appropriate chores and supervise him.

Sports

Enroll your child in an active sport that keeps him running around. A good sporting activity allows your child to burn energy whilst encouraging cognitive and physical development. Sports also teach your child teamwork and discipline, making him a well-rounded individual. If your child ends up getting hurt on the field, you should visit professionals such as Portland sports injury doctors.

Offer Choices

Whenever possible, you should try to give your child choices. Make sure that the choices you offer are suitable for his needs and appropriate. If you are raising an independent child, offering him choices will make him feel independent. However, choices are not always an option – when such situations arise, you should make it clear that there is no other choice.

Get Dirty Outdoors

Not every child likes to get muddy and dirty. However, you should let yours know that it is an option when playing outside. Life is too short to worry about staining clothes; you should let your child be a child. Digging in the soil is a great way for your little one to burn excess energy.

Of course, you should encourage your son to ask permission before going outside to play in the dirt. This way, you will be able to supervise his activities and ensure that he does not do anything dangerous.

Conclusion

Raising an active boy can be overwhelming, especially if you cannot keep up. You should enroll him in a sport, encourage exercise, offer choices, come up with a routine, assign age-appropriate chores, and allow him to get dirt outdoors.

5 Best Vacation Activities for the Whole Family

Going on a vacation with your family is one of the best things in the world! It’s a chance for you all to take a break from your busy schedules and enjoy your free time. However, wherever you go and whatever you like to do, you’re going to find a number of different activities that could turn your holiday from ordinary to amazing. It’s all about finding the right activities and making sure every member of your family enjoys them. Therefore, here are five family-oriented activities you should explore next time you’re on vacation.

Camping

If your kids are outgoing, outdoorsy and adventurous, this is the right activity for you and them. Although camping is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in nature, it actually isn’t as easy to do it while you’re at home, so going on holiday might be the perfect opportunity to go camping. This activity will make your kids understand why nature is so important and amazing, and they’ll surely start appreciating it more than ever after spending some time in the forest.

Of course, before you go camping, you need to get prepared. Learning a few basic things could go a long way, so spend some time doing that first. Find the right spot, improve your safety, make some cool food, and find a few games you could play while camping. This is something your kids will remember for the rest of their lives, so it’s definitely an idea to consider.

Rafting

This might not be the perfect activity if your kids are still young and can’t swim, but if they’re older and aren’t afraid of spending time in a tiny raft, this is the thing for your family. Rafting is another amazing way for your kids to be in the open and learn more about nature around them. Moreover, this activity is particularly interesting if your kids have never done anything as adventurous – this will turn into the most exciting day of your holiday, and your kids are going to love you for giving them a chance to go rafting.

However, you need to be extra careful when rafting with your loved ones. Make sure you follow instructions and don’t do anything even remotely dangerous. It goes without saying that you should make sure your kids are comfortable with this idea before you start planning it.

Scuba diving

If you notice that rafting is something your kids have enjoyed, you could take things to a new level and explore the idea of scuba diving with them. This will help them perfect their swimming and diving skills, and introduce them to an underwater world they can’t see anywhere else. After all, all of these things are vital for their general knowledge and understanding of the world, so it’s an activity that’s great on so many levels.

Again, you should check this idea with your kids and teach them a few things about scuba diving first. Also, make sure you all have some professional scuba diving equipment that’s going to turn this activity into an experience to remember. You could even consider getting this gear for your entire family and stop renting it every time you all want to dive together. This activity will bring you closer together and your kids will learn how to rely on you more than before, and that’s something all kids need to feel.

Road tripping

This is another way to help your kids learn more about the world they live in, but also a bit about the unknown regions in that world. Taking them on a road trip while you’re on a vacation is like a mini-holiday inside your regular holiday, so it’s much more fun than you could imagine. All you need is a car you can rent wherever you are, or Amarillo bus ride, a list of places you’d like the see, and some free time.

One of the ideas to explore is taking your kids on a history tour where they can visit all those important sites and places they learn about in school. This won’t be just an amazing learning experience for them, but an opportunity to see things they’ve probably never seen before. Ultimately, this might pique their interest in these things and show them how exciting historical items and places can be.

Volunteering

To be honest, this is an idea your kids are probably not going to love as much as they might love all the other suggestions. Volunteering is something not all people do when they’re at home, and it’s something even a few of them do when they’re on vacation, so why should you do it? Well, there’s one simple reason – because it’s the right thing to do.

It doesn’t matter where you’re vacationing, how much time you have and what sort of volunteering you opt for – as long as you’re doing something good for the people in need, you’ll be helping them quite a lot. Again, this is an activity you have to plan ahead, especially when you’re going on a vacation with your children, but it’s still an idea you can put into practice quite easily. Not only will you be doing something amazing for someone else, but you’ll also teach your kids a few things about being a compassionate and caring person, and that’s a life lesson you can’t put a price on.

Spending your family vacation on the beach is always a great thing to do, but being active and adventurous is even better. So, find an activity your entire family will love and turn your next vacation into the best vacation ever!

Peter is a parenting and health writer for Joyful Source magazine. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

Breastfeeding or Pumping: Is There a Preferred Path?

If you are expecting a baby or have just given birth, you may be thinking about feeding choices.

If you are expecting a baby or have just given birth, you may be thinking about feeding choices. You favor breast milk for your baby, but are undecided about breastfeeding or pumping your milk.

Making the decision before you give birth

You have decided that you want your baby to benefit from the nutrients and from the immunizing antibodies of mother’s milk, but you’re not sure what is the best medium for delivering the milk.

Think about the following three options:

• Only breastfeed: This is an easy decision to make if you are not tied down to a work schedule away from home, or if you benefit from a long maternity leave.

• Only pump: Your many obligations are eased by the convenience of the ready supply of frozen breast milk stored in your freezer.

• Combine breastfeeding with pumping: This arrangement suits many moms. Enjoy the intimacy of nursing your little one, but supplement his feeding with your own expressed milk.

Advantages of breastfeeding

One of the unique advantages of solely breastfeeding your baby is that you are always there to soothe her with close skin-to-skin contact. The bonding that takes place between you and your little one lasts forever!

Note that many of the advantages of breastfeeding apply to pumping as well, as in both cases, your infant benefits from the abundance of nutrients in breast milk.

What to do when life happens

As we all know, we can plan and plan, and then life throws us a curveball. You plan the birth. You picture breastfeeding your newborn in the delivery room, and continuing to cherish him at home.

Then things happen, and you adapt.

One example of an unpredictable event is a premature birth. Thankfully, most of these tiny little ones grow up to lead perfectly normal lives. However, the period that they spend in the Neonatal ICU can be a trying for his parents. Depending on the size and development of the baby, his sucking reflexes may be weak, and interaction with him may be limited.

How do you deliver the abundance of nutrients that will boost his growth and development? How do you emulate the supply and demand magic that stimulates your milk supply?

The answer is straightforward: Use a breast pump. Neonatal wards are typically equipped with strong, hospital-grade breast pumps that are easy to use.

The advantages of pumping your breast milk

There are times when pumping is required in an emergency, such as the birth of a preemie. However, the use of a breast pump can also be appropriate for non-urgent life circumstances.

Major career decisions

When your maternity leave from work is over, employment while your baby is still nursing is made possible by expressing your milk. Your baby will keep gaining weight from the best possible nutrients for her development. Similarly, if you are working towards a degree or career diploma, you can pump the milk to be given to your baby in your absence. Pumping maintains your milk supply, allowing you to still enjoy the intimacy of breastfeeding your baby at home.

Time-outs

While breastfeeding your baby, you may find that you need a break from time to time. A date with your husband, coffee with a friend, or an outing with your other children, can be a real boost to your energy levels. Leave prepared bottles of your own pumped milk at home with the minder, and then relax…

Dad’s Participation

Many fathers are quite gung-ho on playing a prominent role in the care of their babies. When you pump your milk, you are providing the opportunity for your baby’s father to bond with your child.

Breastfeeding difficulties

If your baby gets a little lethargic while nursing, for example, if he is placed “under the lights” when jaundiced, this can impact your milk supply. To build up your supply, you can express your milk with a pump, between feeds.

Sore nipples can be a drawback for new nursing mothers. Positioning the baby properly at the breast can resolve this, but while you recover, pumping your milk will maintain your supply.

Using a breast pump – a few tips

Not all breast pumps are made the same. The experience of expressing with a manual breast pump or with an electronic breast pump, for example, can be quite different. The following ideas may help you find the most suitable pumping solution for you and your baby.

• A quality breast pump can make the difference between an easy experience and a frustrating one.

• A double breast pump halves the time it takes to express milk from both breasts. It is commonly held that a double breast pump is an excellent means for encouraging the growth of your supply, by stimulating the Prolactin hormone.

• Do contact your friends or a lactation consultant. They can be sources of invaluable advice.

• If you are concerned about the cost of a high-quality pump, a breast pump rental from a medical equipment company is a feasible option.

• The U.S Department of Labor stipulates that mothers of babies under one year old, must be allowed time to express their milk during working hours.

To breastfeed or to pump

Breastfeeding directly, or pumping your milk, is not a black-and-white decision. The two methods share common benefits and work best together as a team. During a crisis, pumping may be the only solution for you. At other times, you can happily breastfeed without any need to pump. However, when circumstances call for periods away from your baby, a combination of breastfeeding and pumping is an excellent solution.

4 Things to Consider When Elderly Parents Choose To Live Alone

Witnessing your parents grow old, lose their strength, and eventually even their independence is never easy.

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Witnessing your parents grow old, lose their strength, and eventually even their independence is never easy.

Still, they seem to cling so hard to keep it, even when you’re unsure whether they are still capable of living on their own. Studies show that 90% of older adults prefer to live in their own homes, and unless they are completely incapable of deciding, we can only respect such a choice.

But there are ways we can help them out in this new stage in their life and make it less risky for them. Read on to find out what you can do and how you can make this new situation easier for both sides.

Home Adaptations

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We’ve all heard the gloomy statistics: one in four people older than 65 falls during a year, while every 19 minutes an elderly person dies as a result of such a fall. With age, mobility tends to decline, and the last thing your parents need is an injury.

To help your parents keep their independence as long as their health permits, one of the first things to consider is whether their home needs some adjustments. Even if your parents don’t have any critical issues with their mobility at the moment, talk to them about taking preventative measures.

Here are a few suggestions about adjustments you can consider:

Eliminate doorsteps.
Modify doors and hallways to make them wider.
Try to minimize the use of stairs by having a stairclimber or creating a single-level living space.
Ensure the stairs are clean and protected with non-skid treads.
Make sure the floor and all the pathways are clear to remove tripping hazards.
Add necessary changes to the bathroom: modify the bathtub into a step-in shower, add non-slip surfaces inside and outside the shower, grab bars, a shower chair, a raised toilet, etc.
Add extra lights and make the current ones easier to access.

If one of your parents has dementia or some other cognitive impairment, they’ll need more support to be safe at their home, so you will have to take some extra measures.

Health Care

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Most elderly persons take their medications daily, and it’s important to be sure that they are following the doctor’s directions. Especially when there are some clear signs of cognitive decline, impaired vision, or decreased mobility, which could result in their inability to follow their routine completely on their own.

If you notice any of those, make arrangements with your parents to go to their next doctor’s appointment together, and get more information on their health needs.

Also, try to find a solution that your parents will find suitable, whether that includes using pillboxes that they will keep right next to their bed or a phone call to remind them to take their meds.

Sometimes your parent is going to need even more support, including the presence of a caregiver – their spouse, another relative, or a professional, so it’s important to have such care arranged on time.

You also need to be prepared for the cases of emergency, should your parents need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Talk to them about installing a medical alert system for seniors, so that you can rest assured that they will get help and assistance immediately.

Meal Preparation

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A healthy diet is essential for the physical and emotional wellbeing of your parents.

If they live alone, your parents will eventually need some support with their grocery shopping and meal preparation to be able to maintain a proper diet.

There is also a number of ways you can accommodate the kitchen to better fit the needs of older adults, and make everything, including cookware, more accessible.

Meals on Wheels can also be a solution, but if they still don’t feel like choosing such an option, fortunately, you can have food delivered to their doorstep. Either way, you’ll save them, or yourself, the trouble of driving and waiting in long lines.

Emotional Wellbeing

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Living in their own home can make your parents happy only if their social and emotional needs are met too. Social isolation and loneliness are not uncommon in people of a certain age; as a matter of fact, more than a third of older adults in America admit to being lonely.

These factors pose a great risk to their quality of life and may result in many health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression, cognitive decline, etc.

These are the issues you also need to address when caring for your elderly parent, and they’re just as important as caring for their physical wellbeing.

Talk to your parents about how they spend their days. If you find that they are mostly homebound and that they lack interaction with others or meaningful activities, look for ways to provide them with support in being socially active.

At the end of the day, the thing that matters the most to our aging parents, aside from maintaining their dignity and independence, is knowing that they’re loved and cared for. Sometimes a simple phone call or a message to ask them how they are and whether they need anything will be enough to brighten their day. Make sure to do that every day, no matter how busy you are.

Changing Surname Step By Step Process

Even though not something that is done too often, changing your surname actually isn’t all that uncommon.

Even though not something that is done too often, changing your surname actually isn’t all that uncommon. Of course, people tend to have different reasons why they’re changing their surname, but it is certainly doable.

Now, how easy you can do it, and how the process goes, does depend on where you are. For example, changing your surname in the United States can sometimes be very different from changing your surname in the UK. Changing your name in the United States also varies from state to state. For example, if you’re in California, the cost of changing your name might be different than if you are in New York. Details like location and pricing are important factors to consider when changing your name.

That being said, how is it done? Well, if that’s what you want to know, we’ve got a step-by-step process for you. Before we get to it, though, let’s take a look at the different situations that will allow you to change your surname.

What is your surname?

Your surname is actually a part of your name that you have either inherited, from your parents, or assumed, as a kind of nickname. As such, it’s not a part of the name you’re “given”, whether in baptism or otherwise.

Just like with your first name, there is nothing in the law that’s going to stop you from changing your surname, at pretty much any time. All that’s required is for you not to have any kind of fraudulent or criminal intent.

You get to choose any surname you want and use it in addition to, or as a substitution for, your current surname. There are a few things that you should know about changing it, though.

The surname also isn’t someone’s right or property. Nothing can stop you from assuming someone else’s surname. There are multiple cases to prove this, such as Dubolay v Dubolay.

When can you change your surname?

Even though you can do it at pretty much any time (with some limitations), the most common occurrence of changing your surname is when you’re getting married or divorced. When you’re getting married to your spouse, you can choose between continuing to use your surname, taking your spouse’s, or using a combination of both. This, legally speaking, is no different from changing your surname with a deed poll.

Now, getting married doesn’t oblige you to change your name. Nothing is wrong with assuming your partner’s surname, as long as you don’t have any fraudulent intention, and as long as you aren’t fraudulently claiming you’re married, when in fact, you aren’t.

When getting divorced, you can either choose to keep your married name, or you can go back to your maiden name. Also, when getting married for the second time, you can also choose to keep the married name from your previous marriage.

Are there any limitations?

To prevent abuse, there are certain limitations to changing one’s surname. For example, if a child is under 16 years old, only one change of surname is allowed, as well as one change of forename. And if there is a registered change of forename in infancy, the child doesn’t have a right to change their forename until they’re 16 years old.

For persons that are 16 years old, or over, up to three changes of the surname may be recorded. However, again, to prevent abuse, there must be a period of five years between successive surname changes. Note that these laws apply in the UK, other places might have different limitations in place.

So, how do you change your surname?

As mentioned earlier, you can change your surname during marriage or divorce. If you do this during the marriage, you shall use your new surname when signing your marriage license. However, if it’s done during divorce, you can ask your attorney to take care of this for you, and they should be able to revert you to your maiden name.

If it is done outside of these circumstances, you can change your surname with a deed poll. A deed poll is a declaration of your intent to assume a change of your surname, and as such, is evidence that you have done the change in good faith. You can use the deed poll to update your documents and records, and thus show you’re using your name publicly.

That’s it – it’s actually quite a bit simpler than you might think, but changing your surname can be done pretty quickly.