Don’t Hit The Roof! Making Life Behind The Wheel Less Stressful When You’re A Glorified Taxi Service

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Whether we're taking the kids to school, or picking them up and taking them to their various extracurricular activities, you can feel that you spend half your life chained to the steering wheel. For some, it's as natural as breathing, because parents can enjoy that quiet time while waiting outside soccer practice, listening to the radio, and getting an opportunity to be alone with their thoughts, but as soon as the kids and their friends jump in, it's noisy, stinky, and stressy! And it's at this point, where your children are ignoring you so they can look cool, and the reality sets in... you are a glorified taxi service... But what can you do to ensure that everybody gets along just fine?

Setting The Boundaries

You've got to drive, and you've got to do it safely, so you shouldn't stand any distractions that can take your attention off the road. If you're giving rides to your kids’ friends, you can either sit there in silence and let them verbally bash you, or you can be an absolute disciplinarian behind the wheel. Ultimately, if you need to focus, and your kids are being incredibly distracting, you can either have a word with them before they get in the car, so you can spare their embarrassment in front of their friends, or you can give them a dressing down in front of their friends. It's your choice, but the priority is to ensure you are focused on the road. You don't want to be so distracted behind the wheel you end up causing an accident, and then a car accident attorney has to get involved, and this ends up causing a very fractious relationship between you and your children. It's each unto their own when it comes to their own kids, and you can't underestimate the potential for damage when behind the wheel.

Taking Time To Chill Out

Getting the message through to our kids can be like banging our head against a brick wall, and if it's got to the point where you are fed up of giving your children rides everywhere, without them acknowledging your presence, or being mouthy, and you're unable to cope with it, you've got to find some good practices to make sure you calm down. If being a parent is incredibly stressful, you're not alone! But the difference between you and the others who let the stress overwhelm them, and they end up continually shouting at their children, is all about being able to cope with the stresses effectively. And while it might be very difficult for you to meditate in a house full of noisy children, it's about finding the opportunity for you to calm down. We all have our own methods, but predominantly, are we just waiting for the kids to go to bed, and then we sit down in front of the television and unwind? This may be a perfect practice for you, but it's not going to help you tackle your stress triggers. Finding out how you get stressed, and noticing the signs and symptoms, but then finding the appropriate tools to deal with an isn't just an overnight fix, it's a long journey that we've all got to address. We can view stress and anxiety as being part of our parental duties, but this is where looking for some little things to keep you calm will be a lifesaver in the long run.

And if we feel that all we do is ferry our children back and forth to sports practice, choir practice, and everything else, day in and day out, maybe we just need to look to the future and take comfort in the fact that it won't be long until they leave school, or are able to drive for themselves! It can be a very difficult thing to keep a lid on when you're a stressed parent, and you don't want to shout at your children, but you still need some respect from them. And when you're sat there, in the car, waiting for them to get out of soccer practice, taking these moments to stop, breathe, and say to yourself “it's only a few more years” will take the edge off. We've all got teenagers that treat us like doormats, and the big solution is to let it wash over us. And while it's not as easy as that, we have to be careful that we don't get angry or lose our temper. Sit, take it easy and breathe; don't hit the roof!

Walk Don't Run: A New Way To Get Your Kids To School In The Morning

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There are a whole wealth of articles out there which shout about the health benefits of walking your kids to school instead of driving. As can be seen from sites like www.bistromd.com, those benefits include things like maintaining health and building confidence. That’s good news all around, don’t you agree?

Sadly, a look outside any school gates reveals that the benefits mentioned above aren’t enough for many. We all want our kids to be healthy, of course, but we assume they achieve this through play and physical education. If we’re walking kids purely for health, then, it doesn’t always seem worth our while.

But, what if we were to tell you that it isn’t only health benefits you’ll experience from a change like this. There are practical reasons to get your walking boots on instead of reaching for your keys. If nothing’s won you around thus far, then, the following pointers could be the things to do it. Read on, and you may find you start walking in no time. 

An increased chance of being on time

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Your kids may be able to get physical exercise elsewhere, but they only get one chance to arrive at class on time. The chances are that you already know how difficult it can be to achieve that simple goal when you come by car. Congestion, accidents, and weather all play a part in determining when you arrive. And, let’s be frank; nothing makes you feel worse than making your children late through no fault of their own. By comparison, walking to school removes many of these variables. You won’t need to worry about how busy the roads are, or whether the weather makes visibility difficult. You’ll be able to walk on those clear pathways come rain or shine. And, guess what; your kids will probably be on time as a result.

Removing the risks of the road

The delays mentioned above aren’t the only risks of the road, either. Busy roads and frustrated drivers can also result in accidents. Rates of road-based crashes often skyrocket around school time, and it’s easy to see why. With many parents choosing large family cars like SUVs, there’s also an increased risk of severe incidents like rollovers. While you could contact lawyers like those found at www.gbw.law if this happened to you, that wouldn’t make up for putting your kids at risk. By comparison, walking is a reasonably safe affair. As long as you stick to crossings and designated walkways, it’s unlikely you’ll stumble into trouble.

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More money for the family

If even the above isn’t enough to convince you, consider that driving to school can also cost a fair amount. Fuel alone can soon add up when you’re crawling along behind a stream of other parents. Not to mention general maintenance costs for your vehicle. That’s worth noting given that keeping costs down always matters when you have a family. By comparison, walking doesn’t cost a penny. With that in mind, which option do you prefer?

Giving Your Princess A Ball Of Her Own

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When it comes to her 10th, 16th, 18th, or 21st birthday, most parents will want to give their daughter something extra special. In a lot of cases, this will come in the form of grand gifts, signifying their passage onto the next stage of life. Of course, though, this time in their life isn’t just about presents. Along with this, they are also building some very important memories, and you have a great chance to shape the way they play out. So, to help you out with this, this post will be exploring the elements you need to get your girl’s ball off the ground.

The Venue: The location for your event will be one of the most important aspects of this project. Most little princesses will be too good to spend their birthday at home, and this will mean finding somewhere more suitable for their high standards. A castle, hall, or other grand building can be perfect. To do this correctly, though, you'll need to figure out the theme that your party will be following, too.

The Event Theme: The theme for your party will be very dependent on the person you’re throwing it for. For example, if you have a daughter with a love for reading, a book-themed birthday could be perfect for them. Most kids will make it very easy to tell what they do and don’t enjoy. Using this knowledge, you should be able to come up with a theme which not only inspires joy but also captures what your princess loves the most.

The Food & Drinks: With an event in mind and the location booked, you’ll be ready to start tackling the food and drinks for the party. Like the theme, this should be based on what your daughter likes the most, but you also have to consider the other kids at the event. In most cases, it will be best to arrange a range of options, enabling everyone to choose what they’d like before they RSVP.

The People & Invites: Making sure that people are at your kid’s birthday will take a little bit more planning. You will need to compile a list of the friends you child has, taking special efforts to include children who have invited your kid to their own special days. Normal paper won’t be enough for a day like this, and some embossed cards or fancy digital invites can be used to make it more exciting. When you’re doing this, you have to be very careful not to overbook the event your organizing.

As the last area to consider, a lot of people will struggle to have fun at their kid’s birthday event. Of course, though, this doesn’t matter, as this day for is for your daughter, and not for you. Keeping this in mind will make it a lot easier to create the perfect event for your little one. Along with this, you should make sure that they are able to get as much input into this part of their life as possible.

Don't Underestimate Mom Support

As a mother, you can easily become consumed by your kids. Their needs can far outweigh your own, even on the days you feel desperate for a shower, a hot meal and a reassuring hug. From the moment your child is born, you go from being your own person to being accountable for someone else. Their life depends on you, which can be scary and overwhelming as much as it gives you pride. If you have a strong partner with you through the early days of parenthood, then you know that you are lucky. A lot of new moms go through those days pretty much alone. Your days are stuck in the same routine from birth to teenage years, and it can get a little bit wearing! As a parent, you can find yourself becoming increasingly isolated from the people you once called your best friends. Getting onto different paths in life can be sad and leave you feeling alone at a time in your life where you need as much support as possible.

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A support system for a mother is an essential. Good people surrounding you when you are at your most vulnerable point can make a huge difference to the way you do things with your routines and your children. If you’re a seasoned mother, then you know the drill when a friend of yours falls pregnant: you need to be that support. The support system a mom needs should never be underestimated, and the amount of support you as a mom could give another is huge! No mother wants to ask for help; they believe they’re supposed to be doing it all alone and not being able to manage is a sign of weakness. In actual fact, asking for help is a sign of strength and there are many ways that you can help, and be helped, as a parent. We’ve put some of the best ways below for you.

Chores.

Think back to when you first brought your baby home from the hospital. How into the chores were you? Not at all, we bet! A new mother has a tiny new life to get used to, so trying to fit chores in around that new baby, eating, showering and finding time to sleep isn’t easy at all. If you have a friend who is in the middle of a house move, then you know that they can benefit from a service like Pack Mom, and you can get a free quote to find out how other moms can rally around to assist in getting that house packed and ready for a move. There’s so much more a mom needs than flowers and advice – they need the chores done! So, roll up your sleeves and get stuck into the odd jobs.

Time.

If there is one thing that a new mother needs, it’s time. You may remember the drill from when you first became a mom. The hours seemed to melt into each other quickly, so one minute you’re holding the baby, then the sun goes down and you’re still holding the baby. Give your friend a heads up that you are on your way over. When you get there, tidy up, make some dinner and then take the baby off her hands. Give her a chance to go and shower, take a nap and have five minutes with a hot drink. No mom ever thinks about the small things that make them feel more comfortable, and so they let themselves get into a state. Postnatal depression is a real thing, but if you can be the support system your friend needs, you would be, right?

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Photograph.

Did you know that mom is always behind the camera rather than in front of it? If you’re a parent, you’ll already be very aware of this fact. Take a few photos of the new mom in your circle. It doesn’t matter if she’s in puke-stained pyjamas. It doesn’t matter whether she has her hair in tangles and her face unmade up. The early moments of feeling too tired to do more than concentrate on a new baby means that you can often miss those moments. Grab your camera and snap a few photos of the new mother in that stage of total euphoria and fear, so that she has that memory.

Older Children.

When you have a new baby and there are older children in the family already, it can be really difficult to spread the attention among the group. So, helping out by taking the older children out for the day to do some fun activities and even for a sleepover can really give a new mother a hand to adjust to a new routine. You don’t have to feed them sweets and treats to get them to feel good, either. Take them to a new movie or spend some time doing crafts with them. The guilt a mother can feel when she is dealing with a new baby and not spending time with the older children can be consuming, and when there are other hormones flying around it’s the last thing she needs. Support her by supporting her children.

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Go Out.

New mothers are often left behind by their circle of friends. It’s not always an intentional thing, it’s just one of those things where a new mother becomes overlooked as she continuously turns down invitations. Make a point of getting her partner to help by keeping the kids occupied and invite her out. Before a mother is a mother, she was a person first. A person with feelings, opinions and intelligence. Don’t underestimate the fact that motherhood has happened that she wouldn’t want to be treated that way still.

Being a support system for a new parent is just as important as having a support system for yourself. Never underestimate the need for a good support system, and never overlook the one that is around you in the form of friends and school moms. Your support can make such a difference to your life, so be the difference for someone else.

You Know, Moving Home Needn’t Disrupt Your Child’s Homeschooling Experience

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Moving home is a strange time for everyone. The excitement of starting a new chapter is contrasted by the fear of leaving everything you’ve ever known behind. As a parent, you also need to think about the kids, not least because those emotions are multiplied tenfold.   

  

Relocation will inevitably alter various aspects of your child’s life, and it may require some adaptation. One area that cannot be ignored, however, is their schooling. For most kids, relocation means finding a new school, which can be a difficult transition. As a parent that teaches your kids at home, you have the luxury of bypassing that issue. In turn, this enables you to get back to normality without any major disruption. 

  

First and foremost, you’ll need to mentally prepare your child for the big move. Keeping your son or daughter updated throughout the process can make a world of difference to their emotional frame of mind. Meanwhile, you can use promises of days out and bedroom upgrades to get them excited about the new home.   

  

When moving day arrives, you want the relocation to be as smooth as possible. Services like Bekins Moving Solutions take the stress out of transporting furniture. Moreover, it ensures that your possessions aren’t harmed. In turn, this enables you to get settled into the home far sooner, which can allow you to resume the academic learning ASAP. 

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It will take months to get the new property looking how you like it, but designating a suitable learning space is key. Meanwhile, it’s imperative that you get key services like broadband up and running straight away too. After all, it won’t only impact student life; it’ll influence leisurely activities too. 

  

Even when you work quickly, it may take a few days to get the home ready for learning. Thankfully, there are plenty of creative activities to provide fun and productivity. These can range from outdoor adventures to arts and crafts. Use this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the new area while your child still gains academic benefits. You will not regret it. 

  

After all, school is just one part of your child’s upbringing, and it should link with all other factors. If the home is where they will live, learn, and play, you must set the right boundaries. Once again, it will take months to get things looking and feeling homely. Nonetheless, you must look to get the basic foundations in place at the earliest stage. 

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Your child’s happiness and development will always be the priority. However, it’s important to know that you are preparing them for the future in the best fashion. You should visit A2Z Home School to learn more about the homeschooling requirements of your state. Not only will this promote the right type of learning, but it will point you in the right direction for tests and examinations. 

  

Children can find it difficult to accept moving home, but they are resilient. Embrace new routines in the most effective fashion. This will encourage happiness and productive learning without any major issues. 

Making Your Mark On The World: How You Can Leave A Lasting Legacy

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With each passing day, time passes. Where once we lived a carefree life, we begin to realize the reality of our mortality as we get older. Despite our best efforts with skin creams to appear young, we know we are not going to live forever. Sorry, but it’s true. Then we start to take stock of our lives, and a possible mid-life crisis kicks in (if it hasn’t already), and common questions arise. What have I done with my life? Have I been the best I can be? What will I be remembered for when I’ve gone? All good questions and only you can answer them. 

So, here is the crux of the article. What legacy are you leaving behind? We aren’t talking about legacy trusts and will making, though practically this is important. You don’t want your beneficiaries going through probate litigation when you’ve gone. Rather, we are referring to a non-material legacy, where your actions on earth leave a lasting impression. How will people remember you? Will it be for good or bad? We’re betting you’re hoping for the former. So what can you do now to ensure your legacy is a positive one? Here are some ideas.

Create positive memories. Despite your business, you don’t want lasting memories to be about somebody who was barely around when they were alive. Make time for the important people in your life, take holidays together, share stories, have fun. It is often the small moments that create the best memories. Something you have said to make somebody smile. An encouraging word to offer support. These are the things that will be remembered.

Impart positive values. As a good person, there are bound to be values and ideals that you hold close to your heart. Whether they are faith-related or not, you have the power to share a positive message with those near to you. Considering the conflicting viewpoints imposed upon your children at school and your friends at work, they may not receive the moral framework that only you can provide. Therefore, without being heavy-handed, impose good values on to those you come into contact with.

Erase bad memories. If you’re afraid you are going to leave a bad legacy behind, make your amends before it is too late. If you have hurt somebody in the past, make every effort to apologise to them, or change your behavior as you go forward in your relationships. Be somebody that people will talk about with enthusiasm and love, and not in hushed whispers about how unpleasant you were.

Be charitable. You can’t bring about world peace (that would be an amazing legacy), but you can make the world better in your corner of the world. Change one person’s life, and your legacy will roll over as they take the baton and follow your good deed. So, consider volunteering with a charity near you. It may be a homeless shelter, food bank, breakfast club, or a church mission. You can’t save the world, but you do have the power to change individual’s lives for the better.

Finally, leaving a legacy is about being remembered for the good person you were, as well as leaving a positive impact on others that they will take forward into the world. Chances are, you have already made steps to ensure this happens. If not, don’t put off till tomorrow when you can do something to make a difference today. Thanks for reading.

How to Raise Your Child to Be a Responsible Adult

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We all want our children to have fun, free, and joyful childhoods. At the same time, though, we also want to do our part to plant the seeds for them to one day become responsible adults.

Here are some tips for raising your kids to respond wisely to whatever the world throws at them.

Give them a piggy bank and teach them that money doesn’t grow on trees

Money is one of the greatest areas of potential distress and tension in the lives of all adults, and it’s essential that you give your child some good principles for how to deal with it while they’re still young.

One of the best tips for instilling this kind of financial good-sense in your child is to get them a piggy bank and give them an allowance. The next step is to supervise how they handle their money, and discuss with them how they’d like to spend it.

You’ll notice that they quickly begin to realise that money is finite, and that spending and saving must be managed in a sensible manner lest they find themselves with nothing.

Ideally your child will grow up to be debt-free and fiscally responsible. If they do ever need to take out a loan, try ensure that they’re cautious enough that it will be from a reputable company like signature.loan, rather than the local loan shark firm.

Make them stick with their hobbies for at least a few months

Children are often taken by sudden flights of fancy and fall from one interest or hobby to another at the drop of a hat. Likely they’ll approach you on a regular basis to ask about joining a new sports team, or trying out a painting class, or learning guitar, or something similar.

While you should, by all means, support your child’s exploration of different hobbies, you should also teach them the importance of sticking with a thing and being thoughtful about their choices.

One easy way of doing this is by making your child stick with any hobby they’ve picked up for at least a few months, even if they quickly let you know that they’re no longer interested any more.

Give them opportunities to be independent

While you should always be there for your child when they need you, you also need to get started on letting them practice autonomy and independence from an early age.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t help them with their homework, or that you expect them to cook their own dinner and put themselves to bed. It does, however, mean that you have certain chores and expectations for them which they need to adhere to.

A good example could be having them make their bed each morning, or clean up their room once a week.

Raise them in a loving and nurturing environment

What every child needs most of all is to be raised in a loving and nurturing environment. 

Children who are given the love and understanding their need are much better placed to be emotionally healthy, resilient adults when the time comes. This, of course, means that they’re also more likely to be responsible in their grown-up dealings.