Parenting Archives - Page 7 of 27

5 Things to Do Before Dropping Your Teen Off at College

While you’re excited for your child to be embarking on their new life as a college student, it can be overwhelming and stressful at the same time. Whether you’re traveling from the Illinois area where you live to another state or your child is staying in the local dorms it can be confusing.

The last few weeks and even days before you drop your teen off at the dorms can be rushed. If you’re looking to go the extra mile in those last few weeks, then try the following things long before you head out on your trip.

1. Take Them to the Doctor and Dentist

Growing up, your child’s health was always your top concern, and that doesn’t change just because they’re leaving the nest.

If your teen is going far away from home and won’t be home until winter break, go ahead and make an appointment with their doctor and one of the Oak Park dentists if you are near Chicago, or one in your area. This will give you peace of mind in knowing your child is in great health before they start their new life as a college student.

Dentist — The dentist is examining the patient while using the help of RTG record

2. Teach Them How to Do Their Own Laundry

While some teens have been doing washing their own clothes for years, many haven’t been. If you’ve always done your child’s laundry for them, take the time now to show them how to separate their whites from their darks, how to wash them, and how to fold them as well.

It’s best to have them wash a least a couple of loads themselves before they leave.

3. Go Shopping

While you may have already gotten the laptop, books, and other items needed for classroom time, you also need to go shopping for essentials for dorm life.

Clothes, sheets, dishes, coffee makers, and more should be on your list of necessities to help your child settle into college without a lot of stress.

Not only will you be picking up the things your child needs to be a happy while away from home, but it’ll also give you time to spend an entire day together before he or she heads off to the dorms.

4. Have a Family Dinner

It’s long been known that family dinners are beneficial to the entire family. If this isn’t something your family normally does, or even if it is, scheduling a special family dinner at home or at a restaurant right before they leave is a nice touch.

It gives your family time to catch up and talk about how exciting going away to college is, gives you time to be together and just bond the way a family should.

5. Pack Gifts to Open When…

Most kids at college for the first time get homesick at some point. If you’re worried this is going to happen to your teen, pack some gifts for them to open at certain times.

For example, one gift could be to open when they’re bored, another for when they’re lonely, and yet another for when they are under stress. Don’t forget one for when they’re low on cash. The types of gifts can vary but should be appropriate for the moment and mood they’re in.

Not only will these little gifts help them get through their first weeks away, but it also shows them just how much you care and are thinking of them while they’re gone. After all, it’s the little moments that count with family, don’t you think?

Going off to college can be scary for you and your teen. Doing these few things in the weeks leading up to them going away will help you keep organized and do things together before the day arrives that your chick flies the coop.

How to Create a Perfect Study Room for Your Chid?

People with enough space in the house may like to create a dedicated study room for their children. A study corner will help the little one learn better without outside distractions. There are many things to consider while planning a study room. The process of education has shifted over the last few years. Therefore, modern study rooms should accommodate students with all the facilities needed to perform to their absolute ability. Continue reading the article to know more about how to design a study space for your child.

Décor Of The Room:

One of the fundamental things to remember while decorating a study space is that the Room should not feel cluttered with unnecessary things. The study corner needs to be spacious and airy. Ideally, natural light is preferable for the study place, but if you live in a congested city and want to block the outside noise, you can always install more lighting to brighten up the space.

The wall color should be muted without much detailing work. The minimalistic décor will help one focus more on the study without distracting too much.
A strong desk is required in the study room. The desk should have many drawers to keep all the papers and learning supplies intact.
The study table can double as a laptop table since most of the studies are conducted online. Even if you are not keen on online studies and want to provide your child with hardcover books instead of PDFs, a student must research topics online to stay updated on the subject.

Learning devices:

As mentioned earlier, most of the studies are conducted with the help of gadgets these days. Therefore, one must furnish the study room with the desired gadgets and instruments. These classroom devices help students continue their studies without difficulty.

A computer is a must-have gadget in the study room. Make sure you install a high-quality internet connection and Wi-Fi system to run the system smoothly. One may also install parental control software on the computer to monitor the child’s online activity.
Other gadgets such as a Tablet, printer, and interactive projectors are conventional devices installed in a smart classroom.

Children — A boy and a girl are attending online lectures together

Soundproof Room:

If you live in a busy city, the child will likely have a hard time dealing with the noises from the outside. Therefore, a parent may also consider soundproofing his child’s study room to help him concentrate on the lessons. The Room should be big enough for your child to have a group study session with his classmates. During an online study session, you don’t want the noises from the house to be heard by others on screen. The global pandemic has taught everyone that one should treat their study room as a classroom in the school. Therefore, these days when most of the classes are held online, soundproofing is even more required.

Quick Storage:

In addition to having a large desk with drawers, one may also install a bookcase in the study room. The bookcase will serve as a library in the study, with plenty of storage space at the bottom for extra copies and supplies.

Military Family Life: 10 Ways To Improve Quality Time Together

Getting quality family time is crucial for all members of the family. When a parent is in the military, it can mean long periods of separation and frequent moves across the USA and beyond. Finding the time to ensure your family gets to bond is essential to help kids grow up well-adjusted and mentally healthy.

You should consider all your options when trying to make family time. You can spend time bonding just as well at home as you can on vacation or a day out. What is important is that you make time for each other and stay present for your kids.

Put The Electronics Away

When you have the chance to spend time in person with your family, you must be present. Avoid using cell phones and other electronics. Consider having a ban on phones at the dinner table. Engage with your family and actively listen to what they tell you.

Spend Quality Time With Your Partner

Carve out time for you and your partner to connect. Have a regular date night where you hire a sitter for the kids. Do something different each week to keep the spark between you bright.

Make Care Packages

Send care packaging back and forth when on deployment. Military members can send trinkets and keepsakes from wherever they’re based, and families can send reminders of home and country. Include handwritten letters and drawings from the kids.

Play Board Games

Have a regular games night at home. Stock up on various games to suit the ages and interests of your kids. Look out for games in thrift stores and online.

Create A Permanent Home Base

Create a permanent home base to give your kids stability and make homecoming more special. Consider buying a property with a VA mortgage, which doesn’t require a down payment. Find out how much you can borrow using this VA mortgage calculator from Hero Loan. Always choose a dependable VA loan provider like Hero Loan.

Travel Together

Go on family vacations regularly. Travel throughout the USA and beyond. Choose unique experiences each time you travel to give yourself and your kids strong and fond memories. Consider adventurous vacations like camping in a National Park, trips to Disneyworld, or city breaks abroad.

Think Of Unique Days Out

Explore all your local area has to offer. Take your kids to try different activities like white water rafting and horseback riding. Make every family day memorable by trying something new. Ask your kids what they want to do.

Read To Your Kids

Father — A father is telling the goodnight story to a baby son.

Make reading time a regular fixture in your home. Read to kids before bed as part of a bedtime routine. Let them choose books for you to read.

Cook And Eat Together

Cook meals as a family to get your kids interested in healthy eating habits. Ensure everyone has a job to do during meal prep, and everyone helps wash up afterward.

Help Out With Homework

Help your kids with their homework to improve their academic abilities. Have designated homework times where you gather around the dining table to help them work. Consider hiring a tutor for any subjects they struggle with.

Types of Schools for Children With Special Needs

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

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

Public school

Friendship — Two boys are playing together

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

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

Special needs school

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

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

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

Therapy-specific or condition-specific school

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

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

Homeschooling

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

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

Wrapping up

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

6 Best Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

“Bottles fill his stomach, but breastfeeding fills his soul.”

– Diane Wiessinger

The feeling of becoming parents is unexplainable, and especially for a mother, it is a lot more than just contentment and fulfillment alone. A new mother has tons of responsibilities that come with the baby. Mothers are accountable for the finest upbringing of their children. As she enters into motherhood, breastfeeding becomes part of the identity of women.

A new mother feeds her baby the very first meal, which is full of nutrition. This means breastfeeding for the majority of women. Even though breastfeeding might seem easy, you can still fret over supplying your infant with the right nutrients. And you presumably may have a dozen questions about how everything functions.

Our greatest suggestion is to loosen up; you and your child will ultimately be used to it. To encourage you, we have made a list of breastfeeding tips that will provide you with the best nursing advice.

1. Munch well, Mama

You’re what you consume, and it’s crucial for you so your little one can get a nutritious supply of milk to eat. Although you don’t need to strain yourself, a balanced postpartum diet is essential for your achievement in nursing. Firstly, drink a lot of water. Your body works hard to generate the milk for the baby, which is why you may always be thirsty for water. Aim to drink eight glasses of water each day to build up the milk supply and keep you hydrated. Second, eat an evenly balanced diet. Devour those portions of protein, calcium, whole grain, and fruits and vegetables to ensure that you are stuffed properly. Add healthy fats to your diet. Much healthy fats are needed for brain functioning, particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in fish with low mercury and DHA-enriched eggs.

Third, don’t skip your vitamins. Continue to take it until breastfeeding has been fully completed. You can also continue to take your DHA pregnancy top-up essential for the health and wellbeing of a new mother.

2. Lactation should be comfortable, not painful

Breasts are your number one asset when it comes to breastfeeding. For new moms, it helps prevent many infectious diseases in the baby and provides it full nutrition. However, please note that you shouldn’t be breastfeeding more than needed. What happens due to over breastfeeding is Mastitis. It is when certain germs reach the milk canals via nipples and make them sore. This occurs more often to the moms who find it difficult to breastfeed their babies. The soreness around the breasts can be painful. To avoid Mastitis, you can pump the milk to feed the baby. The doctor will also prescribe you some antibiotics that will help in reducing the pain and soreness. It just doesn’t mean they should be uncomfortable because your breasts are functioning super hard. After every nursing practice, lanolin cream used may aid. But above all, modify your lactation practices and ensure a proper latch for the baby.

3. Assist yourself with the best consultation

You aren’t the first one having trouble breastfeeding. Enlist the help you need for your breastfeeding experience to resolve problems. There are several consultants at the hospital or birth child care centers available. Some even make house calls. Join a mummy’s group in your area or take a breastfeeding lesson to enhance learning.

For additional support, please get in touch with the breastfeeding home visit services provided by some authentic consultants.

4. Drippy breasts aren’t a problem

If it sometimes leaves you feeling like you’re at a wet T-shirt competition when breastfeeding, don’t be ashamed you’re not alone. In fact, leaking breasts are lovely because they reveal a mom’s natural need to feed a baby, but they are no less chaotic. If it sometimes leaves you feeling like you’re at a wet T-shirt competition when breastfeeding, don’t be ashamed you’re not alone. In fact, leaking breasts are lovely because they reveal a mom’s natural need to feed a baby, but they are no less chaotic.

You may begin to leak before feeding your baby, listening to the baby’s soothing voice, or even drooling over a picture of your baby boo. Careful planning can help with your leaky breasts, and it includes:

Keep a bunch of nursing pads to avoid.

Place napkins below when you sleep so that you do not need to change your bedsheets in the morning if there’s a leakage problem at night.

Wear dark colors, so the leaks don’t peek out if they appear.

Don’t just pump too hard. Excess pumping will not help leaky breasts to stop. Nonetheless, it actually only boosts your production and aggravates the problem.

Mother and newborn — The newborn is sleeping on the mothers chest

5. Quality Pump matters

Pumping breast milk is something every Mama should do to make sure she is not breastfeeding her baby all the time. Pumping milk has its own perks, and you get some time to relax if the milk has already been extracted before. There are two types of manual and automatic pumps with a single or double pumping ability.

The efficiency of each pump can distinguish between an incredibly simple and annoying experience. A double breast pump cut down the time needed to express milk from both breasts. A double breast pump is generally thought to be a great way to promote the growth of your prolactin hormone, too, while making it an easy and timely experience for mothers. A quality pump really matters if you want to pump more milk at a time.

6. Posture at ease

Deciding on a lactation position, which works best for you, makes lactation much easier. Select your favorite fit with a few experiments until you adjust yourself properly. Firstly, you can lay back and breastfeed. Lie down with supporting head, neck, and shoulders. Put the entire front of the baby on your entire front and let the work begin. On your bare breast, put the baby’s cheek.

Second, Breastfeed the baby as you lean it in your lap, with the head of your baby in the elbow. You can use pillows to raise the head to the level of the nipple to breastfeed the baby properly.

The third is the crossover hold position. Keep your baby’s head from the presently nursing breast with the opposite hand. Lastly, the side Lying position is the most convenient in the middle of the night—mom and child, both on their sides, facing each other.

Endnotes

We know that breastfeeding can sometimes be immense, but the tips mentioned above in practice will help you to enjoy your child with breastfeeding. So, take into account the needs of your child, be content and satisfied. Assess the signs of good breastfeeding and try to remain hydrated.

Nothing’s wrong with asking for assistance.

In the beginning, breastfeeding can be a sentimental rush, but you and your baby are likely to hang on with a bit of time and dedication. So get faith! Since this is a good way to feed and bind your child, it’s worth the hassle.

Remember. When you follow these guidelines, your baby will continue to flourish right before your eyes!

Financial Tips for Parents to Consider

Whether you have just one child or a whole crew of little ones at home, you may sometimes find yourself financially overwhelmed as a parent. It can be hard to figure out how to manage expenses related to housing, utilities, meals, diapers, clothing, childcare, and other necessities. Following the right financial tips can help families to manage their money better. These five tips can help your family budget for all of your needs while still saving up for long-term goals and potential emergencies.

Attend Money Management Seminars and Classes

If you’re trying to understand how to stay out of debt while raising a family, then you need to learn a little bit more about money. Money management classes and seminars are a great way to learn more about budgeting, saving, and spending wisely. Look for free seminars that you can attend in your area or online. If you attend college, you may also want to consider enrolling in one or two finance classes. Even if you do not pursue a career in finance, you can learn valuable information that you can apply to your career and home life.

Remember That Brand Names Have No Significance

When shopping for children’s clothing, shoes, food, and toys, remember that brand names have no real significance. Many name-brand items are the same as their store brand counterparts, just with different labels. Children grow out of clothing items and shoes quickly. There is no reason to overspend on items that will turn into hand-me-downs within just a few months.

Cooking is Cheaper Than Eating Out

Fast food and take-out meals can seem inexpensive, but those purchases add up in the long run. If you have a large family, buy groceries in bulk to stay stocked up. Bulk groceries can also help you save money. When grocery shopping, look for inexpensive but filling and nutritious foods like potatoes, whole grain bread, apples, carrots, and brown rice. You can also use paper and digital coupons while shopping at the grocery store. In general, it is a good rule of thumb to avoid eating out with your family more than once per week. When you do spend money on restaurant meals, make it a more special occasion. Take the time to sit down somewhere with family members and appreciate the food and the company.

Teenagers Can Work Too

If you are worried about the math adding up on 18 years of expenses, remember that your child will probably start making some of their own money before moving out of the home. Teenagers 14 or older can work at restaurants, swimming pools, retail stores, and other entry-level businesses. They can also mow lawns, tutor younger students, and babysit. Teach your child good spending habits. Encourage them to save some of their income and avoid spending money on frivolous purchases. You can also teach your working teenager how to invest in the stock market and manage their credit appropriately.

Money Doesn’t Buy Character

One of the most crucial tips to keep in mind when raising a child is that money doesn’t buy happiness nor does it buy character. Children require love, attention, enrichment, and education, not expensive gifts. Instead of giving your child cash or expensive gifts as a reward, you might want to try rewarding them with exceptional experiences. For example, you may want to bake a cake or take your child to the beach as a birthday treat instead of buying them expensive gifts. Often, these experiences will be more memorable than gifts ever could have been. Cleaning up after yourself is a fundamental human responsibility and a sign of self-respect. You do not have to reward children with cash for taking out the trash, putting away their laundry, or washing dirty dishes.

The Ultimate Guide to Plan Your Kid’s Birthday Party

“A birth date is a reminder to celebrate life as well as to update life.”

Coming up with ideas for your kid’s birthday party can be a stressful, challenging, and overwhelming experience, especially if it’s the first time you’re doing it. Do you want your kid’s birthday party to be just perfect and a memorable experience for them as the years pass by?

Keep in mind that a birthday party can only be a success if you plan and are organized about the steps you need to take. To help reduce your burden, we have shared the ultimate birthday planning guide with you so that your kid’s birthday party can be the talk of the town.

Without any further delay, let’s get right into the birthday party planning details.

1. Select a theme

Do you and your kids love going to theme parties? Do you feel theme birthday parties are more fun, exciting, and easy to set up? If yes, then your very first step should be thinking of a unique and creative theme that your kid with love.

Think of your child’s interest or something that they are crazy about. It could be a cartoon character, a TV show, or maybe their favorite activity such as gaming or painting. Once you finalize an idea, check if the accessories are easily available for the theme. Even if you cannot find the accessories at a party shop, there’s no need to be disappointed as you can always make them at home. If non of the options works for you, why not order customizable decorations that can serve both as decoration and entertainment? Whether you’re looking for a fun focal point for a child’s birthday party or you want to create a more sophisticated atmosphere inflatable bounce houses and customized pools are great options. These unique custom inflatables can be designed to meet the needs of the theme and will not only astonish guests with specially printed pictures but will also give them the chance to enjoy themselves to the full. With a little imagination, you can easily create a unique look that will complement your event’s theme. So if you’re looking for ways to take your decorating game to the next level, consider investing in some custom products. You won’t be disappointed!

However, if you are having trouble deciding a theme for the birthday party, some popular ones include unicorns, superheroes, mermaids, pirates, Disney, and Barbie. If your budget allows it, it’s also a great idea to take the kids to a theme park. A Disney-themed birthday party in a Disney theme park would definitely be an unforgettable experience! If you choose this option, make sure to check Disney Orlando deals for group discounts.

2. Create a budget

As birthdays come only once a year, you need to budget a few weeks ahead of the birthday party so that you can throw the best party ever. Create a list of the finances that will occur, such as the décor, food, cake, theme, and the kid’s clothes.

As your child will be the guest of honour, you should ensure that their outfit and shoes match the theme. Once you have completed the budget, you’ll automatically know where you stand. If you start planning a few weeks earlier, you can also pick some extra shifts to collect money for the party.

Having a budget will ensure that you don’t end up overspending and regretting later on. Make sure you stick to the budget you have finalized because some unexpected last-minute expenses might pop up out of nowhere.

3. Choose the location

It is important that you choose the most suitable location if you are looking forward to planning the perfect birthday party. You wouldn’t like to end up with a location that is too crowded or stuffy, right? While there are many birthday party places in Brampton, you should pick a comfortable spot for everyone.

If you have a limited budget, do you think your house will be a suitable venue for the birthday party? Or, if you want to go with an outdoor venue, keep in mind the costs that the planners will charge you for the theme, decorations, and food.

Another very important point which people forget is that they don’t take the weather into consideration. You won’t want your outdoor party to blow up because of a sudden storm. If it’s winters or the rainy season, consider getting an indoor venue to be at ease.

4. Shortlist the guests

Once your final budget is calculated and you have finalized the location, then comes another main step. Obviously, you and your kid won’t be able to enjoy the birthday party without having people over.

Sit with your family and write down the names of people you would like to invite, starting from your family. Ask your kid about the number of friends they are expecting to come over and calculate the estimated number of people for the party.

Make sure you don’t go overboard with the number of people you invite because you will have a limited budget and venue to host. It will be a very embarrassing situation if people don’t have a place to sit or plates to eat from.

5. Send out the invitations

Would you like to add more creativity to the birthday party you are throwing for your kid? How about customized birthday party invitations that match the theme of the party? That would look cool, wouldn’t it?

To involve your kid in the planning process, you can develop unique and creative DIY birthday card ideas. If you haven’t made birthday cards before, you can follow a YouTube tutorial on arts and crafts.

Also, request your guests to confirm their presence at the birthday party so you can make arrangements accordingly. Don’t forget to mention the party’s timing on the invitation as many venues have a strict timing policy.

Mention the birthday party theme on the invitation card so the kids dress up accordingly and do not feel out of place once they arrive.

6. Choose the perfect birthday cake

As a birthday party can never be complete without a delicious cake, make sure you hire the best cake maker for the party. It will be great if you match the birthday cake with the party theme and give the baker some ideas from Google or Pinterest on how you would like the cake to be.

If the people attending your party have some allergies or food restrictions, request them to inform you in advance so that everyone is able to enjoy the food. You can opt for a two or three-story cake depending on how many people you have invited. The more the cake, the merrier it is.

7. Confirm the food order

Other than the cake itself, don’t forget to place an order to the caterers for party snacks and drinks. Some common birthday party foods include chips, biscuits, pizza, cookies, pasta, and cold beverages.

Before you confirm your order with the caterer, don’t forget to add the foods your kid likes. Please provide them with the number of people you have invited to prepare the food order accordingly.

8. Plan some games and activities

For the entertainment of the kids and guests, plan some fun games and activities beforehand, so no one gets bored.

How about some old-school games like musical chairs, passing the pillow, and dancing statues? If your budget and the venue allow, you could also set up a jumping castle or trampoline, as they are a favorite among the kids.

Make sure that you supervise the games at all times so that no kids get hurt or end up fighting amongst themselves. You could also request an older sibling or cousin to keep an eye on the kids and keep them away from the restricted areas at the venue.

Closing Note

Planning a birthday party can be a difficult job as a lot of details and attention go into the planning process. However, if you follow the detailed guidelines mentioned above, we assure you that you will have the time of your life. Just make sure you include your kid in the planning process and ask for their input as it is their birthday party, after all.

Why Your Children Should Have an ID

As a parent, you do everything you can to keep your family happy, healthy, and safe. You plan fun activities for the weekend, cook healthy meals, and prepare against any harm. One way you can prepare your family is by having an ID for your children. Life can throw unexpected twists our way, and it’s best to try and have a plan beforehand. An ID for your children may not be top of mind, but we’ll show you three reasons why you should get an ID for each of your children.

You Can Be Separated

Getting separated from your child is not uncommon, unfortunately. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, over 600,000 individuals go missing every year. It may happen because they wander off at the grocery store, or maybe they run to a friend without telling you. We sometimes become distracted with the task at hand or focus on the environment around us, leading to an accidental separation.

If you become separated from your child, it’s critical that you seek help immediately. You’ll likely need to provide details about your child, including their full name, height, weight, eye color, hair color, and other identifying information. You may experience a high amount of stress and anxiety during this time, making it difficult for you to recall such details. Having an ID for your child would make it easy for you to provide all the necessary information as quickly as possible.

Medical Emergencies

Children like to play, but sometimes they may play a little too hard. Or perhaps they’re accidentally exposed to an allergen. Accidents happen every day, and some are more serious than others and may require immediate medical attention. Having an ID for your child can provide helpful information like height, weight, emergency contact, and other important information, like allergies, medical considerations. Providing this valuable information makes it easier for doctors to assess the situation, provide treatment more efficiently, and contact you as necessary. Not having an ID on hand could mean the doctors would need to gather more background information, taking longer to treat the issue.

Immediate Action In Case of Abduction

Child abductions are a tragedy and are devastating to any family. Nonfamily and family abductions are serious emergencies that require immediate action. In these situations, every second counts. You may be familiar with AMBER alerts. These are messages sent out to a community with information about a missing from law enforcement. Being able to forward your child’s ID allows law enforcement to get the message out as soon as possible. The faster you respond with your child’s identifying information, the better the chances of survival and law enforcement reuniting your family.

As we mentioned earlier in this post, when you’re separated from your child, you’re likely to be highly anxious, stressed out, and can forget details at the moment. Your child’s ID will provide the information needed by law enforcement. Providing local law enforcement with identifying information and characteristics is recommended by both the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as some of the first steps you should take You can also share your child’s ID on social media with friends, family, and other outlets to create widespread community awareness.

Conclusion

The safety and wellbeing of our children are always on our minds as parents. We try our best to provide an excellent home for our families and keep our children safe. Having an ID for your child is just one way to help you be prepared for emergencies and keep your children safe.

7 Exciting Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained at Home

Some parts of the world are opening up, but kids are still not allowed to go out of their homes for their safety. It can get boring for your kids having to spend their childhoods stuck at home. Therefore, you might want to create more fruitful memories for them despite being stuck at home.

If you want to get your kids excited, here are some different ideas that you can use to entertain your kids, even at home.

Online learning activities

When your kids are stuck at home, you can give them opportunities to entertain themselves while also learning something new. For that purpose, the Internet can be a valuable tool with its myriad of devices, websites, and apps that are helpful both for education and entertainment. You need to look for these sites and apps.

Nowadays, you can choose the educational website of your choice based on the learning activity that you want your child to commit to. There are plenty available online out there. You can also use educational apps, which can be more convenient.

These online learning activities are convenient because you can access them anywhere if you are connected to the Internet.

Virtual museum tour

It might not be a good idea to visit a local museum if you want to keep your kids as safe as possible. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a museum tour at all. Even when your kids are stuck at home, you can still enjoy virtual museum tours, given the efforts of thousands of galleries and museums from all over the world.

When doing a virtual museum tour, you should stay with your kids to explain each piece to them when you can. It’s an excellent way to introduce your kids to art, history, and culture worldwide all at the same time. Plus, you don’t have to leave the house to do so too, it’s convenient and safe.

Podcast listening

Podcasts are usually associated with adults. However, podcast creators also cater to kids, so why not try and see if your kids would enjoy those? Podcasts can help your kids reduce their time looking at screens all day. At the same time, it can help entertain them by listening to stories.

Podcasts are also an excellent way to bond with your kids to have something to talk about as well.

Journal writing

Journal writing is a beloved activity that your kids can also enjoy. It would be a fun keepsake for them when they grow up and look back at all their thoughts and everyday experiences during those times. At the same time, it helps teach kids how to verbalize their thoughts in some way.

You can help them choose their journals and give them those journals with built-in locks to keep their secrets private. Don’t forget to remind them to write the dates in their diaries.

Board games

It’s always fun to have a family game night, but given the easy access to video games and games on mobile phones through apps, it might seem nothing new to your kids. Instead of getting glued to the TV screen, why not get board games? Board games provide a different type of gaming fun that your kids will want.

It’s also a chance to bond with them and enjoy each others’ company. You can even build a collection eventually and give your kids a life-long hobby.

Family movie night

Aside from family game night, family movie night is another exciting way to keep your kids entertained at home. You can turn it into a whole experience by making homemade popcorn and getting a projector that can project the movie onto a blank wall or even a white blanket. You can also make fake tickets to sell the moment.

If you have multiple kids, get them to alternate each week with what movie they want to watch so that everyone gets the chance to watch what they want.

Backyard camping

You don’t have to head to the great outdoors to enjoy a bit of camping. Your backyard still counts as the outdoors, so if you want a change of pace, why not try backyard camping with your kids? It’s a great way to teach them camping tips so that they know what to do when you do the real thing one day.

Smores, campfire stories, and sleeping in sleeping bags can be a memorable experience for your kids that they’ll remember for a long time.

Over to You

There are many ways you can entertain your kids these days, but the ones on this list ensure that you engage your kids in a way that will be fruitful or heartwarming, and memorable. Try these out to spice the days up for your kids to not think they are stuck at home. Instead, they’ll remember these fun experiences when they were at home.

New Moms: How to Raise a Healthy, Happy Baby

Becoming a mom for the first time is exciting and daunting all at the same time. You’ll have so many questions, and probably wonder each and every day if you’re doing a good job. If that’s something you’re concerned about, you’re probably doing great!

Any mom who cares and worries is a mom who loves their baby and that is the first and most important step in raising a happy and healthy baby. We’ve rounded up a few key things to think about and focus your attention on when you have your first baby.

Nutrition

The nutrients your child takes in in their early stages of development play a major role in their growth, health and development in the long term. Taking this seriously will set a good foundation that will impact their health and happiness for years to come. Breastfeeding your baby is often considered the best possible nutrition, especially for a newborn. However, this isn’t always achievable for all moms. Alula S-26 gold formula milk is designed to provide optimised nutrition for your newborn and is a great alternative (or supplement) to breastmilk.

Play

Keeping your baby’s mind occupied and stimulated is very important, both for their happiness and for their learning. Babies learn from their environments and from you – the parents and caretakers – and how you interact with them.

Being actively involved in play and learning will help to ensure that your little one experiences learning as fun and develop their early skills. Educational toys with loads of bright colours and different shapes and textures will contribute to their development. Reading them stories and talking to them will not only help them learn how to speak but will make them feel loved and comforted by your presence.

Sleep

This is obviously a tricky one. All babies are different when it comes to sleep. Some tend to need a lot of sleep, some struggle with sleep, and if you’re lucky your baby will be somewhere in the middle. However, this isn’t often the case! Monitoring your baby’s sleeping patterns and habits will help you to ensure that they’re getting enough (but not too much) rest and can also help to ensure some down time for mom and dad, which is just as important.

Learn

This one is for you, mom and dad, and not so much for the baby. It’s important that you pay attention to your baby and learn along this journey. Learn from mistakes, learn how to handle certain situations, and learn your baby’s cues. Understanding your baby’s needs comes with time and practice, but you’ll soon start to notice when they’re trying to tell you something.

Parenting is a journey that goes on for years. Each new stage of development brings new challenges and new joys too! Learning as you go along is the most important thing to do, and keep in mind that if you have a second baby, you’ll be learning all over again.