Rebecca Alston, Author at Mamas Like Me

Why Parents Send their Kids to Private Schools

Education is an important part of a child’s growth and development, as such choosing the school that they go to – could be one of the most important decisions you have to make. May parents are opting to put their children in private schools with the options ranging from boarding schools to preschools to give them a step up the academic ladder. Here we discuss in more depth why an increasing number of parents are going down this route.

More Academic Opportunities

The reality is, there are much more academic opportunities in private schools than you would normally get in public schools. This isn’t just in the classroom curriculum but with extra-curricular activities that are often available too. This kind of thing enriches their lives and education. You will also find that tend to go on to score top marks when it comes to entrance or enrollment exams.

Smaller Classes

A huge benefit to private schools is that the classes are much smaller. This means that your child will get much more one on one interaction with their teachers to help them with their development. There are also far fewer distractions which will allow them to focus more on their activities. This is particularly beneficial if you have a child that learns much better in small groups.

Greater Parental Involvement

In a preschool– you will find that parents are much more involved than they would be if their child went to a public school. This means that you can feel in more control over what’s going on with your child’s development – and will also give you a sense of security that they are progressing as they should be. They also tend to have much more of a community feel to them as they are smaller in size, so parents will get to know one another and can chat things through.

If you take a look at WinWood, a private preschool in Washington DC, you’ll see that they have something called MyToddlerLink which allows you to check on your child via video stream when you’re at home/work and can’t visit them. They also have an app that allows you to see status updates. This is an advantage that you can’t get with regular schools.

Having a Common Goal and Philosophy for Learning

As there are so many options when it comes to educating your children, it’s not surprising that parents are now opting to go down the route of choosing a private preschool that fits in with their own core values and beliefs when it comes to learning. This adds to the community spirit feel that a private school has too. Everyone has the same common goals and beliefs when it comes to education.

They go Above and Beyond

Private schools tend to go above and beyond with everything they do. They always have additional resources for children, they have more extra-curricular activities for them to explore – and are all about developing children for tomorrow’s world. This kind of vision is what a lot of parents find attractive about private schools and will put their kids in good stead for the future.

If you ever wondered why some parents to go down the route of private schools over public schools, hopefully, this has answered some of your questions for you.

3 Fun Woodworking Projects with Kids

Creating fun woodworking projects with kids is a great way for parents and little ones to bond while you are teaching them how to create wood based crafts for around the house. These easy projects below are great for kids to get involved with since they all use limited power tools and have easy assembly.

Bird House

Making a birdhouse is a right of passage for little ones and adults who are learning how to create crafts from wood working. The most basic design for a birdhouse is to create a standard box with an A frame roof. You can easily use an untreated 1×8 wood board to measure the birdhouse walls, roof and floor and then cut it with a chainsaw for cutting firewood.

Once cut, you will want to assemble the birdhouse with nails or wood screws. Adding some wood glue is always a good step to ensure that your woodworking projects have a stronger adhesive bond.

You will also need to have a power drill with a 1 inch to 1 ½ inch sawing bit to create the entry and exit hole. Once the hole is made you can pre-cut or drill a much smaller hole and stick in a slim wooden dowel as a perch for birds entering and exiting. If you cut the hole the right size compared to the dowel, then it should give you a tight fit, but again adding in a dab of wood glue will give it a better hold once weight is added.

With the basic design in mind, you can add onto the birdhouse by painting it a bright color, adding slats to the walls or shingles on the roof to create more layers in the overall finished house.

Tool Caddy

For girls and boys alike, creating this basic caddy is a great woodworking project that you can make together to help them store and carry important items. This basic box design is fairly easy to make and requires cut pieces of lumber plus a circular dowel that will become the handle.

To create a simple tool caddy, you will want to purchase and cut down a few 1x6s. You can then trim them down to your desired length for the width and height for the caddy. The sides of the caddy should be trimmed to a slimming angle going up to the predrilled holes for the dowel.

To attach the sides and the bottom you will want to use a brad nailer and some wood glue to give it an extra strength hold. The top handle dowel can be slid into the cutouts, which if cut to the dowels size will already be a snug fit. Adding in a few dabs of wood glue will ensure that the dowel handle doesn’t spin or slip with frequent use.

Soccer Goal

For the soccer star in your home, this is a great DIY project to make together before starting some basic soccer drills. You will need a few 2x4s to create a sturdy goal that can take a hit from the soccer ball being kicked into it as well as some soccer goal netting.

The basic shape of the goal is a rectangle in the front with two triangles on the side. The triangles need to have a right angle from the frame going up and the base on the ground. From the back bottom corner of the triangle you will want to add in a final long board that reaches from end to end of the triangles, this will create your steady goal stance. Finally use nails or screws to attach the netting, not allowing it to be too loose.

The age of your child will give you the best recommendation for goal size. Starting at age 9, your kids will need a goal that is 6 ½ feet high. The width of the goal will change as they age. For standard soccer practice at home, you can build a smaller framed goal.

Conclusion

These fun DIY woodworking projects for kids are a great start for families that want to learn how to woodwork. After you have tackled these projects, you will have the basic idea and skills to move onto more crafts that you can do with your kids help.

The Joys of Getting Sushi Meals Ready at Home

One of my favorite dishes, sushi, has fascinated me for many years. Why do you ask, because of it’s amazing health benefits and ease of preparation? Now, thanks to sushi roll machines, it’s never been easier to make your own at home. There are many benefits to preparing your own sushi. In this article we will explore three of the top benefits preparing your own sushi at home provides while examining the absolute joys eating heart-healthy sushi gives.

Cost Savings

Anyone who’s been to the supermarket lately will testify to the fact that, although sushi is extremely healthy, it is also very expensive if you haven’t prepared it yourself. What if I told you instead of paying 10 to 15 dollars a person, you could save money preparing sushi yourself at home for a fraction of the cost, a $1.40 per person to be exact.

When deciding to prepare this amazing dish at home, the most important ingredient is sushi grade fish. Typically, there are 5 main types of sushi, Nigiri, Sashimi, Maki, Uramaki, and Temaki. Most often, you’ll see sushi prepared either one of three ways, as Maki (rolled) where seaweed is on the outside, Uramaki, where seaweed is on the inside and rice on the outside, or Temaki, a cone-shaped piece of sushi that’s rolled by hand. Depending on your preference, you may prepare it any one of these ways.

Ease Of Preparation

With machines, like the Sushi Machine Australia available, preparing sushi is a breeze. For those of us who have to prepare it by hand, don’t sweat, here’s a delicious recipe anyone can use to prepare Teriyaki Chicken Sushi Rolls in the comfort of their own homes with or without a machine.

First, start by preparing your rice. Rinse rice with cold water and place in a heavy-duty saucepan. Add water. Next, turn the heat on your stove to medium-high a bring water to boil. Reduce to simmer and cover. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes until rice is nice and soft. Turn off heat and allowed to cool. After the rice has fully cooled, add rice vinegar, 1 to 2 tablespoons are plenty. Now, set this aside until ready to prepare your sushi rolls.

Once your rice is cooked, make teriyaki chicken. Slice your chicken breast into thin strips and place in a plastic bag. Add some teriyaki sauce, a pinch of brown sugar, and sesame oil. Mix everything together in the bag and place in your fridge to marinade for about an hour. Now, fry your chicken with a spot of olive oil for 3 or 4 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked and slightly crisp on the outside. Once finished, set a frying pan to the side and allow to cool.

Almost done. Next, assemble your sushi rolls. Using a sushi mat, lay seaweed shiny side down. Add sushi rice so that seaweed is covered leaving the top inch bear. Add additional ingredients like chicken, avocado slices, and asparagus, then start rolling the sushi from top to bottom.

Make sure you roll it tight as you don’t want it to fall apart once you slice it. Finally, rap the roles in saran wrap and store in the fridge until ready to cut. With a serrated knife or sushi machine, cut each roll into 28 thin slices and serve with your choice of wasabi or vinegar on the side.

Health Benefits

Sushi has been shown to have an enormous amount of health benefits. Studies have shown it not only fights heart disease and lowers LDL cholesterol levels, but one of its condiments, wasabi, has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer activity. Sushi can help boost your metabolism while lowering your bad cholesterol levels and reducing your overall risk for cancer. Put down the fast food, give sushi a try, you’ll be glad you did.

The Art of Choosing Rugs for Your Kid’s Room

While having wall-to-wall carpeting installed on hardwood floors might seem like a soft and warm option, it might not be so for a kid’s room. Considering the amount of ‘action’ the carpet in the kid’s room sees, it won’t be long before you have layers of dirt in dust trapped in its weave. An area rug, on the other hand, is a much better choice, as it’s easy to maintain, warm, and visually appealing. Children also love soft rugs as they provide a perfect spot for playing, reading, doing homework, or watching TV. Now, before you choose a rug for the kid’s room, make sure you’ve considered these.

Placement and purpose

While it’s obvious why having a rug on the hardwood or laminate floor is important, you also need to pay attention to other purposes of area rugs. Perhaps you want to use two smaller rugs to distinguish space between siblings in a shared bedroom, to create a focal point in a room with scattered furniture, or to create an activity area for your kid. Once you answer these, you’ll know where to place an area rug. In a room with a lot of furniture, the rug can anchor the place, and for an added visual harmony, make sure the capital pieces of furniture overlap the rug edges by a few inches.

Material and texture

The best kid’s room rugs are durable, safe, and easy to maintain. Rugs with good quality pads are best for polished hardwood floors, as they keep the rug in place and protect the floor from damage. Flat-woven cotton dhurries are thinner than most other rug options, but also very affordable and easy to maintain. Soft wool rugs are also a popular choice since they are naturally stain- and water-repellent. Wool rugs are, on the other hand, notorious for shedding, but the amount they shed decreases over time.

Pro tip: if you’re looking for a rug that works in every situation, try a synthetic one. They are durable, easy to clean and can take a lot of abuse. If you want to stay on the natural page, consider a jute rug. They are known for their durability and chemical-free manufacture, even though they are a little coarse on bare feet.

Shape and size

When you have settled on the material for your rug and where it should go, measure the area and think about the size and shape that will be the most effective. Large rugs are perfect if you want to cover the most of the space, however for an elegant accent piece, a smaller circular one is better. If your local vendors don’t have what you need, you may also look for rugs online as websites often manage their vast stocks by offering filtered searches, so you can find the size, shape, and even pattern you need more easily.

Rug and bed ratio

Since kids usually don’t have queen and king-sized beds, you won’t be needing a gigantic rug, but a rule of a thumb is to have at least 18 to 24 inches on both sides. On the other hand, if you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a 5×8 or larger, consider getting runners on both sides. This way you can achieve the look of an oversized floor covering and make cleaning easier – vacuum the runners and mop the hardwood or laminate in between. Smaller rugs and runners often come in more colour and parent options, so you can even switch them out between the seasons – or drycleaner’s.

Colours and weaves

If your kid’s room already has a lot of patterns, a solid colour rug can balance the basic element and provide visual relief for your child. On the other hand, if the room is dominated by neutral shades or solid colours, a patterned area rug can increase the dynamics of the space. When it comes to weaves, flat weave provides a nice warm spot for play but is still flat enough for puzzles and building blocks. Loop-woven and shag rugs are not recommended as tiny things can sink inside and you or your kid may accidentally step on it later.

Among the many ideas that can transform the room of your little ones, an amazing area rug is a great place to start. A well-thought area rug can change the entire character of your kid’s bedroom and become their favourite piece of furniture.

How to Prioritize Exercise as a New Mom

Becoming a mother is an incredible experience. With all the rewards that come with it, so do numerous changes. When you become a parent, you get a completely new set of priorities and it may seem like the old habits and routines are far gone. With the new baby, sticking to your old way of life can indeed be challenging. There are days when you feel so exhausted that even brushing your teeth may seem like a struggle, not to mention finding time and strength for a workout. By now, you’re probably aware of all the benefits that exercising regularly has on your overall health as well as on your mood. Here are some useful ideas to help you incorporate exercise into your new daily routine and get you back in shape.

1. Make a plan.

If you’re one of those people who like to master-plan everything from grocery shopping to moving house, then you know how much easier things can get. If you’re on the other hand, more of a theory-of-chaos student now may be the time for a change of habits. Good planning is definitely half the battle, especially at this point when you feel like your whole life has changed. Making a schedule will give you an insight into the times when you can squeeze in your workout routine. Sometimes, you won’t be able to stick to it completely, but don’t let that get you down. The important thing is to try to be consistent as much as you can.

2. Exercise at home.

When you have a baby, you may find leaving home a bit more complicated than you thought. No matter the reasons, if you’re not able to spend time at your local gym like you’re used to, don’t worry. There are many other ways to do some much-needed exercise and one of them includes working out at home. Search the web and find some gym equipment online store where you can buy hand weights, jump rope and other similar equipment you can use at home. Pieces of furniture like a chair or a sofa may come handy too. Use the time to work out when your baby is napping or you have a family member around. Yoga is also a great choice to get your body perfectly toned and stretched at home and here you can get some inspiration and check the yoga pose library.

3. Take baby steps.

With the new schedule, you’ll probably find it challenging to set aside a full hour for a workout. That’s understandable given the circumstances. Instead of a long exercise, you can do shorter 10 to 15 minutes workouts while your baby is asleep or occupied. Aim for quality over quantity and make every minute count. Set realistic goals, and don’t be harsh on yourself if sometimes you can’t perform the way you would want to. Taking baby steps will make it a habit to prioritize exercise and with time, you’ll be able to make your workouts longer.

4. Exercise with your baby.

Even if you don’t have a babysitter, there are still a number of ways you can exercise with your baby. You can put a baby in a stroller and go for a walk. You’ll get your exercise and you’ll both get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. Inviting your friends to join you is a great way to socialize. When your baby gets older, you can switch to jogging. There is a variety of jogging strollers available designed especially for this activity. Another great activity you can indulge with your bundle of joy is hiking. Put your baby in a sling or a front carrier and let them enjoy nature together with you.

5. Find someone to watch the baby.

Whether it’s a partner, a babysitter or a family member, ask someone to watch the baby so you can exercise. Having this time just for yourself will mean a lot. You’ll be able to dedicate yourself to your workout routine without interruptions and worries. Depending on the amount of time you can get, you can go to the gym or exercise at home. You can even go for a run around the neighborhood. Talk to your partner and see if it’s possible for them to watch the baby before they go to work. A morning workout will boost your energy levels and keep them high throughout the day.

Conclusion

Learning how to prioritize exercise is a skill that can be mastered like any other. Although it may seem difficult at first, with the new baby and hectic schedule, it’s still doable. By exercising regularly, you’ll not only feel great but will also get more energy to tackle all the other obligations that motherhood brings.

Regaining Your Pre-Pregnancy Shape

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Being pregnant is certainly one of the most amazing and most challenging parts of a woman’s life. Of course, if you live in Australia, the challenges of pregnancy are easily overcome because you have access to all the care that you need. Everybody talks about how important it is to take care of yourself during and after pregnancy, but how little time you’ll have to do so is usually underestimated. Your baby will have to be a priority for a long time but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your mental and physical health.

Being a new mother is hard for many reasons, one of the main ones being that your body needs to heal. As well as that, you’ll notice some changes and gain a new shape that you didn’t use to have. This can be fairly discouraging for most women as they are used to looking a certain way. So as not to take a toll on your confidence and self-worth, you need to make an effort to regain your pre-pregnancy shape. Every woman likes feeling beautiful, and getting your old body back can do wonders for your happiness. Remember, a happy mother makes for a happy baby.

1. The first days

It’s important to start exercising after the first few days of giving birth just so your body can get used to being active again. That being said, you can’t overdo it. You’re still very sore and sensitive from giving birth, which is evident even when you start feeling a little better after a couple of days. Ideally, you should let your body rest for one week and then slowly start exercising.

One of the best exercises you can do after giving birth is isometric exercises. They’re the type of exercise that focuses on building muscle through resistance. If you want to bond with your baby while exercising, a very simple thing you can do is lie on the floor on your back. Place the baby on your tummy then tighten your abdominal muscles and push the baby upwards as you breathe. You’ll be inhaling while you push the baby up and exhaling as you set them back down.

Walking is another thing you can do start moving. You’ll have a lot of obligations and responsibilities, which means you’ll be on your feet a lot. This is good news because walking is one of the most convenient things you can do to help your body regain shape. First of all, cardio is bound to build endurance and stamina, making you more capable of handling taking care of the baby and the house. You can also carry your baby and walk around the house with it. This way you’ll be strengthening your arms, tightening different muscles along your body, and bonding with your baby at the same time.

If you want to kick it up a notch with walking, you can always walk in place when you’re doing chores like washing the dishes, for example. Don’t be afraid to take solo walks outside the house, either. Building up your strength will get you ready to tackle the neighborhood and some surrounding hills, too. As your baby grows, you can even bring them along with you. You’ll be surprised how much muscle pushing a stroller around builds.

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2. Establishing a routine

Now that you’ve started exercising in your first days of being a new mother, it’s time to start establishing a routine. The key to getting back in shape is to continually exercise. Building your routine is going to be hard in the beginning, because your schedule is mostly concerned with your little one right now. The gentle exercise you’re doing in your first days after giving birth will be an excellent path to a lasting routine.

Not only is it easier for your body as it gets used to exercising regularly, but it’s also much easier for your schedule. It’s better and simpler to fit in simple exercises into your day than to try to fit in full workouts right away. Build up to your final goal, don’t start at the ending.

More often than not, new Aussie mums have trouble starting their new exercise routine because they don’t feel it working. Saggy skin around the abdomen and breasts can be a huge disadvantage that hinders your success. Instead of becoming more confident as you exercise, you’re actually getting demotivated by the day as your skin is still saggy, no matter how good you may feel. This is why plastic surgeons in Canberra state that this is a procedure undertaken after pregnancy that focuses on the breasts and abdomen. It’s common for new mothers to opt for it because it sagging breasts and tummy are rectified with this procedure.

Thus, this can be the perfect boost you need to establish your routine. That’s especially true since you’ll be doing mostly light exercises in the beginning, and your body will have time to heal from the procedure while getting used to being active again.

The best practice for establishing a routine is to exercise at the same time every day or every other day. There must be a time in the day when you can just put the baby down and do your exercises. Even if it’s just half an hour, it will be enough to get you used to exercise at a certain time. If nothing else, you can always use the time when your baby is napping wisely. Other than that, you can wake up somewhat earlier or go to bed a little later. Whatever free minute you have in the day, use it to establish your exercising routine.

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3. After six months and more

Once you’ve established your exercising routine and your body has mostly healed from giving birth, you can step it up a notch. Going slow and steady wins the race, and this is the time where you really get to prove that. When it comes to exercising six and more months after giving birth, you have a lot more options to choose from.

First of all, you can start with the pelvic tilt. This is a great way to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Of course, make sure that your abdominal muscles didn’t separate during birth before you attempt this exercise. If the doctor hasn’t informed you in the hospital, you can always check with them now. With your knees bent and feet flat, lay on the floor. Then slowly tighten your abdominal muscles as the pelvis rolls towards your upper body. Instead of using your bottom muscles to move, try using your tummy muscles.

Another simple yet effective exercise you can do at home is the swan stretch. This is an especially good choice if you have a sore back and want to strengthen your back muscles. You should lie on the floor with your palms on the floor beside your shoulders. Then simply lower your elbows to your hips and let the upper part of your body move off the mat until your ribs are lifted. Make sure that there is no tension in the lower back.

If you want to try something different, there’s always Yoga and Pilates. These two types of exercises are good for the mind and the body and work on strengthening your core. As well as that, you’ll learn just how strong your body is and improve your mental health. The best part about Yoga and Pilates is that they can be done at home and at fitness centers. This way, you can choose what’s more comfortable for you. Lots of YouTube videos will show you exactly what to do and how to move while you’ll still get to keep an eye on your little one. On the other hand, if you’re itching to get out of the house a little, you can always enroll in a class and meet some new friends.

Finally, one of the most fun things you can do to regain shape is to dance. Whenever you can, have a little dance party at your house. Play all your favorite tunes and don’t be afraid to really move your body. This activity can be fun for the baby, too. They’ll love watching their mum be happy and goof around, but they’ll also love to participate if you choose to dance together.

Conclusion

Even though the road to regaining your pre-pregnancy shape is long and tiresome, it’s worth it. Being in shape doesn’t just mean being beautiful and confident, it also means being healthy. Your body will be much stronger and heal more easily, allowing you to nail every new challenge as a mother. The basis for a strong relationship with your child and good mental health is being physically fit and able to handle your new life. You’re not just getting in shape for yourself, you’re also doing it for your child. We’re confident that with some dedication and time, you’ll be in your pre-pregnancy body once more.

6 Fashion Trends to Try out This Summer

Adding a modern garment can inject attitude to the most basic wardrobe. The catwalk styles are extreme and basically for display, but they become accessible and everyday versions that are sold at a massive level of fast fashion and retail. Some deserve our money, others do not. Go through the list of the great successes (and failures) of this summer to find your style. Additionally, to learn more about fashion check out ThreadCurve.com

Animal prints

The leopard and cheetah prints are still incredibly popular. If we have loved it, we have bought it and we have used it since the 60s, so why stop doing it now? Wear blouses, mid-calf skirts, and dresses that are so “trendy”. Snake skin has also been included, but this trend comes and goes, and it is one of those options that you like or detest. Our professional advice: opt for the prints of classic animals, such as leopard and cheetah for clothes (the zebra is not one of them) and let the sandals or boots with relief reptile add a dash of style to jeans and pants.

The utilitarian style

This trend looks great on the catwalk and is practical in real life. The jumpsuits similar to the old pilot or mechanic, cargo pants and military style jackets have been updated. Choose loose and loose garments with some definition at the waist (elastic inserts, a belt or adjusted to the shape) in soft and elastic combinations. These additional pockets are excellent for storing keys, cell phones, IDs, eyeglasses and lipsticks. Our professional advice: if you like wide jeans, you will love the cargo; but look for the ankle shorts. You will not see many cargo pants on the catwalks, but they are an overwhelming trend in stores. To make utility garments look a little more elegant when going to work or going out at night: wear the jacket with tight skirts and feminine dresses, add a silk blouse to the cargo pants, and put on your overalls with soother heels and a jacket.

Dyed

Hippie’s splashes are reinvented in neutrals with controlled colouring. And this is not the fashion of a single season: this trend will continue until the following autumn and winter, thanks to the strange calendar of fashion shows in the fashion industry with a season of anticipation. I just saw it! Our professional advice: opt for white and gray dyeing, or faint black, instead of the striking kaleidoscope colours you see on the catwalks, or choose a dyeing effect in immersion that is more gradual and monochromatic to achieve a more versatile style and sophisticated. It makes more sense to wear it in mid calf skirts, sweatshirts, blouses and athletic clothing.

Denim clothing

If you love jeans or the idea of wearing jeans, but you have not put them in years, here you will see how to wear denim now. The straight and mid-calf structured skirts were not starring on the catwalks, but they really had an impact with the stores and online retailers that recognize lifestyle success when they see it. Our professional advice: opt for good knee-length skirts straight or mid-calf that resemble normal clothing (but without the seams and pockets that look like jeans) and t-shirt dresses that are really dressed (not only cambray shirts with curved skirts) and those with a bib overalls with bib.

Yellow

The great colour trend is cheerful yellow in all its variations of tone, intensity and hue. It is not only the bright school bus, but also the yellow banana, butter, calendula, turmeric, honey and saffron. Yellow works just as well with white, cool tones as black or navy blue, and warm tones such as tan or brown. Our professional advice: if you are one of the people who resist yellowing, try it on a print, on a skirt, on shoes or in a bag. Ignore neon yellows or intense acid, such as lime or chartreuse, which are very strong for some skin tones, and opt for softer, lighter yellows such as banana, amber or caramel (yes, those are also yellow).

A lightweight suit

Do not wait more. This duet never fails to make us look confident and elegant, even on the hottest, wettest or rainiest days. When your hair is rebellious, your makeup feels sticky and you feel sweaty and swollen, the firm and modern figure of a tailor suit will help you to cope with the day. The new factor is in the proportions; In current fashion the jacket is more relaxed and longer than in recent years, with a slight feeling that it is big, but without super shoulders. Our professional advice: choose a trouser that reaches the waist (your preference: the ankle, short, broad long, narrow or loose) and that goes well with your shoes, and accompany it with a jacket.

What to Do When Your Child is Struggling in School

Let’s face it: school can be difficult for kids. Between extra-curricular activities, social pressures, and struggles with the material itself, it’s normal for children to have a hard time maintaining a consistently high level of academic performance.

Unfortunately, when their grades start flagging it can also have a snowball effect on their self-confidence, leading children to doubt their own abilities and wonder if they have what it takes to excel in academics.

If your child is struggling in school, simply telling them to do better is probably not going to be enough. Instead, you need to come alongside them and brainstorm positive strategies that will help them succeed. Here are three tried and true ways of boosting academic performance that can also have a major positive impact on your child’s overall self-esteem.

1. Structured Study Time

Children thrive on structure, and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to learning. Carving out a regular time in the day for the study is an important first step toward normalizing study as part of the day.

Not only will this make it easier for your child to focus on their schoolwork, but it will also make their learning more effective. Scientists who study learning have noted that students who study for shorter periods but spread their studying out over time retain more information. This is because the brain learns through repetition, and going over new material every couple of days increases the likelihood that it will be locked into the long-term memory.

2. Tutoring Help

Sometimes, your child just needs more help in understanding and applying the concepts they are learning in class. In today’s education environment, teachers are often overworked, and growing class sizes mean that individual students get less one-on-one time with their teacher. Many studies have shown that as class sizes go up, student performance goes down, so getting your child the extra support they need is essential.

The best way to do this is through after-school tutoring. Tutors can play a pivotal role in helping struggling students overcoming their personal learning challenges. Because they provide children with a safer, more personal learning environment, they can also tailor instruction to the student’s actual needs (you can learn more at Prepacademytutors.com about how to find a local tutor who can work around your child’s schedule and offer in-home instruction).

3. Practice Positive Reinforcement

Just because a child is struggling in school doesn’t mean they will necessarily apply themselves to improve their grades, and it can be tempting to try to manage bad behavior through punishment.

Unfortunately, you can’t force a child to learn, and punishment often simply serves to create a negative association with schoolwork. Positive reinforcement is a much better approach. If your child improves their grade by even a few points, reward them with praise and something they enjoy. Instill a sense that improved outcomes lead to more freedom and responsibility.

When your child comes home with another C on their report card, it can be hard not to feel discouraged. But it is important to remember that overcoming challenges is essential to learning.

By teaching them to structure their time, look for extra help when they need it, and by emphasizing positive reinforcement, you can use these difficulties as an opportunity to equip your child with the tools and strategies they need to deal with adversity will set them up for the roadblocks they will face throughout their lives.

8 Best Tour Companies in India

History of India’s travel companies is relatively impressive. The first significant travel ‘arranger’ to open on the Indian subcontinent was British-possessed Cox and Kings.

Today, India is home of some of the largest travel companies in the world. Let’s get to know about the best of the rest and take full advantage of the tomorrow land festivals.

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation ranked as India’s leading travel company. IRCTC is positioned as the best travel website in India.

It is a subsidiary of Indian Railways-the world’s fourth largest railroad organize. The Indian railways are known for their gesture and hospitality. The quality of food served on the trains is mind boggling along with wi-fi connectivity.

MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip is an online Tours and Travel entry and ranks among pioneers of India’s Internet-based travel agencies.

The company’s site claiming it held a 47 percent share of the online travel advertising, citing a 2013 survey. book your travel with the company and enjoy huge discounts on the tomorrow land festivals. it is also one of the most preferred store when you are planning for your holidays. Whether it is about booking flight tickets or simple booking of buses the store has a lot to offer. the best thing about make my trip is the discounts and deals it offers across the year to its customers.

EaseMyTrip

Established in the year 2008, EaseMyTrip is the new contestant in this list has come to this position because of astounding services and offering transparency in airfare.

The travel company is among the most significant flight booking sites of the nation with twenty eight branch offices in India, Thailand, Maldives, Singapore, and Dubai. Last year, turnover of the company was Rs.2000 Cr.

Cleartrip

Cleartrip is also a primary online travel website from India that operates with three offices in this nation and one in the Spread across three convenient offices in India and one in Middle East.

Thanks to the Middle East operations, it is the favored office among business and leisure travelers to the Arabian Gulf states.

Cleartrip also ranked among the pioneers of India’s online travel business.

Its website features blogs and other interesting articles about various destinations and trends in the travel and tourism industry worldwide.

Yatra

Yatra is another top travel company that has a significant presence online.

The company claims that more than four million remote and domestic travelers have profited its services since its establishment in 2006.

Yatra also has a versatile application that makes it possible for individuals to book any travel related service while moving and at short notice.

Yatra’s services incorporate domestic and global air ticketing, lodging bookings, home-stays, occasion packages, bus ticketing, rail ticketing, activities, and ancillary services.

Cox and Kings Ltd

Cox and Kings is the longest established travel company in the world that started in 1758. It started primarily as a travel arranger for British troops touching base in the Indian subcontinent.

The company assumed a primary job amid World War-I and World War-II by transporting Indian soldiers to different battlefields in Europe and Asia.

Cox and Kings is also considered as those handful couple of companies of the vintage that continues to grow and earn positive reviews till date and one of a kind in the travel segment.

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd was established in India in 1881. Thomas Cook has an extremely intriguing history.

It started as a social change adventure that was gone for helping individuals to conquer liquor abuse issue by instructing individuals through travel.

Balmer Lawrie Travel and Vacations

Today an Indian government endeavor, Balmer Lawrie Travel, and Vacations follow its history back to 1867.

It is an auxiliary of Balmer Lawrie and Co Ltd; an organization propelled in Kolkata in 1867 by two Scotsmen.

Conclusion

If you are planning to go and enjoy your vacations with your family then do consider the list of 8 best tour companies in India and enjoy your time with your loved ones. The stores will make your trip an unforgettable experience with endless facilities and affordable prices that will not burden you after you return back to your daily routine.

A Guide on Spring Cleaning Right Before You Move Home (And Other Ways To Make Your Move Less Stressful)

Moving house can be a stressful time… but it doesn’t have to be. One way to make your life a whole lot easier is to properly plan a spring clean so that when it’s time to move, you’re not left scrubbing the fridge at the last minute!

Not just this, but performing a spring clean means that your new home will feel as homely as possible right from the start. The fridge is clean, the floors are shining and there’s zero dust! Yay.

Naturally, spring cleaning is itself a daunting task (especially if you have to clean a lot of outdoor elements) So that it doesn’t add more stress on what can be an already-bulging stress pile before you move, let’s take a look at how to properly perform one. We’ll also take a look at other ways to make your move less stressful.

Clean High

Think dust is confined to just the countertops and floors? Think again. If you can get into your new home before you move, make sure to give things like overhead lighting fixtures and ceiling fans a good dusting.

In fact, tackle any features that are close to the ceiling as these can get really grimy.

Make sure to take a look at the floor directly underneath these features, too, as the dust has this nasty habit of trickling down. Ceiling fans in particular cause dust to actually rain down!

Clean Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors take it personally when you walk on them your shoes on, and they tend to show the dirt! If you’ve been guilty of this in the past, make sure to give your floors a good clean before you move. It’s the same if you’ve got pets – floors will collect hairs.

Use a dust mop or vacuum to get rid of the grime, dirt and any hairs. Dust the hardwood floor with a mop, and make sure to use a dusting agent.

Want a new floor altogether? Go here for the best hardwood flooring.

Work On The Fridge

I mentioned the fridge earlier, and it’s a pretty big deal. Why? Well, just think of all those perishable foods you’ve got in there! Not to mention the fact that a fridge can get plain filthy over the course of time.

Before you move, take out all your perishable food. This could take a bit of time and you should set aside at least 20 minutes for this task.

Then, make sure to scrub the inside of the fridge – from the shelves to the drawers – with soap and water. In fact, you might want to make a solution of vinegar and water, as this can scrape off any stuck-on, stubborn fifth.

Move onto the freezer next, removing the shelves and giving them a good clean.

Tackle The Whole Kitchen

Once you’ve cleaned the fridge, it’s time to move onto the whole kitchen.

There’s a lot to do, so it’s important that you put enough time aside to work on everything from the tops of the cabinets to the corners of the ceiling.

Then there are the appliances, including the sink, the microwave, and the oven. It will all need to be cleaned so that you can move into your new home with a much bigger peace of mind.

And if you’ve got any stubborn stains that just won’t come off, trying mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda.

Clean The Bathroom

It’s a smart idea to replace your toilet seat before you move. It will only cost a small amount, and it will ensure it’s super clean.

Other than that, cleaning the barroom is a matter of disinfecting. Use sponges and soaps to scrub surfaces, and then use an antibacterial spray to eliminate any germs that are still hanging around. You want your bathroom to be spotless and free from harmful bacteria.

Other Tips To Make Moving Easier

Hold a Garage Sale

Got some stuff you want to unload before you move? A garage sale is a great way of getting rid of things you don’t want while raising a bit of cash. Plus, it can be a super fun way to spend the day and you can get the whole family involved!

(Just make sure no one sells your favorite cardigan without you realizing)

You can use moving sale banners to help you advertise your sale.

Pack in Advance

For everything else that you want to take with you, make sure to pack in advance. If you leave packing until the very last minute, you will yourself a major headache and arguments between family members could easily break out!

Pack an Essentials Bag

It’s unlikely that you’ll unpack everything on your first night in your new home. Heck, you might not have unpacked everything by the end of the first week! This is why it’s helpful to pack an essentials bag that contains all the stuff you’ll need on the first night.

Hire Professional Movers

If you have a friend with a van who can help, that’s great. Otherwise, it’s a smart idea to hire professional movers to help you out.

Not sure it’s really necessary? Just think of all that heavy furniture that needs lifting!

Conclusion

The hard work starts now. Make sure to use the tips in this article to give your home a spring clean before you move. Trust me, once that’s out of the way moving will become so much easier (and even a tad fun!).

This guest post contribution is courtesy of SignMission, an American owned, operated and manufactured company in Florida. Signmission offers custom signs such as moving sale banners, safety signs, and even license plate frames.