Month: April 2022

Unhealthy Defense Mechanisms To Keep An Eye Out For

This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.

 

We all have our own ways of dealing with stressful situations. Depending on our upbringing and past experiences, we may have healthy and effective mechanisms or use strategies that cause more harm than good. However, it’s not always easy to identify these unhealthy defense mechanisms, as they are often unconscious behaviors. 

 

The problem is that unhealthy defense mechanisms can cause unnecessary tension and rifts within the family. If either a parent or child consistently uses them, the family will struggle to work through conflict or overcome challenges together. This is why it is so important to identify unhealthy defense mechanisms early and treat them. In this article, you will learn about some of the most common harmful defense mechanisms and learn how to create better strategies for coping with stress. 

Common Unhealthy Defense Mechanisms

Defense mechanisms are behaviors or ways of thinking that are used to handle or distance oneself from uncomfortable or stressful situations. Unhealthy defense mechanisms are often used to rewrite reality in one’s mind or find other ways to avoid or skirt around the issue. These mechanisms often create more harm than good, damaging relationships, worsening one’s mental health, or even making the issue much worse than it initially was. Below are a few harmful defense mechanisms that you may encounter often. 

Denial

Denial is probably the most well-known defense mechanism. It is a pathological defense mechanism used when someone refuses to accept reality as it is. They will block the uncomfortable or inconvenient facts as a way to protect themselves from the resulting stress or other negative emotions. 

 

Though everyone experiences denial at some point in their lives, denial is only harmful when it is a persistent defense mechanism. For example, someone in grief may experience denial when they first hear news of losing their loved one but will transition into other emotions and acceptance. This is a normal part of grief and does not necessarily indicate that someone uses denial as a consistent defense mechanism. 

Projection

As with denial, projection is a defense mechanism used to rewrite reality to avoid distressful facts or emotions. People who use this defense mechanism will misattribute their actions or uncomfortable thoughts and emotions to someone else. They do this because they struggle to own up to their own behaviors and feelings and therefore need to put them onto someone else to make themselves feel and look better. 

Repression

Someone who uses repression will hide painful memories or thoughts, hoping to forget them altogether. This is commonly experienced amongst survivors of abuse. They will try to hide the traumatic events in hopes that they can cope better if they “forget” about those memories. Repression often occurs subconsciously as a way to protect the mind from further pain or distress.

 

However, repression rarely works. Even if someone does not consciously remember the traumatic event, their subconscious will have memories of it. As a result, they will do things or have certain thoughts that self-sabotage their goals, cause them great distress, or repeat the trauma in some way. 

Acting Out

Have you ever experienced someone reacting completely out of proportion to a particular situation? For example, maybe they were angry at someone, and instead of communicating, they threw an object against the room. Instances like these are called “acting out.” 

 

Acting out is very commonly attributed to children but often occurs in adults too. It is an extreme reaction to emotion or situation. The person feels intense emotions but doesn’t know how to process them, so they do something drastic to release the pain. However, people who use this defense mechanism rarely think before acting and may harm themselves or their loved ones as a result. 

Displacement

Displacement is the act of taking out distressing emotions on someone or something that is not seen as threatening. The person rarely has anything to do with the situation causing the distress but is seen as “an easy target” for someone to take their emotions out on. 

 

For example, a person who is frustrated at work may be silent and bottle up their emotions at the workplace but take out their anger at home. This can include snapping at their partner for tiny inconveniences or even becoming violent or abusive. 

 

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for help, guidance, and support. 

How To Treat Unhealthy Defense Mechanisms

Don’t worry if you identified any of these defense mechanisms in yourself or your family. We learn these mechanisms based on our upbringing and experiences but aren’t glued to them for eternity. Furthermore, children commonly express unhealthy defense mechanisms but grow out of them with proper education, stress management techniques, and discipline. But if you are witnessing these defense mechanisms in your family, there are a few things you can do to start working on them right away. 

 

First of all, it is essential to teach your family about mindfulness. Mindfulness encourages one to be aware of their emotions and be present with their coping strategies. Furthermore, this practice promotes feeling your feelings rather than running from them. In turn, this encourages you to make better decisions when looking to heal or release painful emotions rather than just react to them. 

 

Second, discussing your situation and defense mechanisms with a therapist can be quite beneficial. Your therapist can teach you and your family healthier ways to handle your obstacles and show you how your actions affect each other.  

 

Finally, you can also educate yourself on healthy defense mechanisms so that you can work towards healthier behaviors. You can start learning about these healthy mechanisms by clicking on the link below: 

 

https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/defense-mechanisms/

 

Final Thoughts

We all have our own ways of adapting and reacting to stressful events. However, we should always aim to develop strategies that will not cause further harm. By identifying the unhealthy defense mechanisms in you or your family, you are already taking an essential step towards choosing healthy behaviors that will help you manage stress effectively. 

 

The Advantages of Having a Drive Up Storage Unit

If you’re looking for an easy way to store your belongings, drive up storage units are a great choice. You can drive right up to the unit and unload your belongings without having to carry them very far.

With drive up storage units in mind, we shall examine here the types of items that are useful for storing as opposed to using just a standard lock-up situation. 

Though we might have 24/7 security and climate control, we still need to be able to conveniently get our items into or out of the self-storage unit. Access is everything when you have a storage unit. You will want it nearby and have a situation where it is as easy as possible to transfer items between your home and the unit.

Vehicles

Many self-storage units will house vehicles, and we will want to drive them straight into our larger-sized unit. We are talking about commuting and recreational vehicles such as:

  • Cars
  • Motorcycles
  • ATVs
  • Boats
  • RVs
  • Trailers

 

Second vehicles are popular for putting into self-storage units. Also, where a family grows and there are more car owners, it can become a necessity to have somewhere else that is secure enough to store them rather than risk leaving them out on a driveway or at the side of a road.

Heavy and Awkward Furniture

If you’re like many people, you may have heavy or awkward furniture to store that’s difficult to move. 

With drive up access, you can easily drive your car or truck up to your storage unit to load or unload your belongings. This is especially helpful if you have large or heavy items to store. You can also drive up to your unit to access your belongings anytime you need them.

Be sure to secure your furniture properly to your vehicle using plenty of rope to ensure there are no accidents on the way to the self-storage unit. It may not be far, and hopefully, it isn’t, but you do not want to take any chances with safety or break any rules of the road.

Disabled Users

For those with any kind of disability or who find it difficult to lift, it is useful to have a self-storage unit with easy access. You will want it not on the top floor but at ground level so that a vehicle can be driven as close up to it as possible.

Anyone with asthma or a breathing complaint such as COPD will appreciate not walking too far with objects they are dropping off at a self-storage unit.

Those without much help will want good access to their storage unit. An item may not require so many bodies moving it when there is less distance to have to take it.

Knowing that there are drive-up storage units is a peace of mind for those looking to store awkward objects or have other factors to consider when renting a storage unit. The first consideration might be how big the storage unit is but then we will want to know that we can easily move our objects and position them where we want within the unit. Careful placement of those objects will be what protects them best from each other and makes retrieval easier.

Drive up storage units are a good option for many, who find it well worth paying for the facility, and the extras many come with. Who can begrudge paying the extra when it is for our convenience? We will then not think twice about putting a certain object into self-storage when we know that we can much more easily retrieve it any time we need it.

10 Best Word Games for Kids

 

Word games are perfect for kids because they keep them entertained but also teach them new words. If you would like your children to spend less time in front of a screen and watching videos, then maybe an exciting word game can be the way to go. And let’s be honest, no one likes spelling exercises at school, but if there is some competitive element, perhaps your kids will want to be more involved. In this article, we will show you 5 great word games for kids. 

I spy with my little eye

This game is very easy to play and therefore perfect for young children. The idea is that one of the players will look around the room, the park, or wherever you are right now and will choose an object. Then they will say, “I spy with my little eye something …..” and will continue the phrase with some characteristic of the object they chose. The other players will have to try to guess which is the object or ask for more clues. 

Unscramble the words

The name says it all, but you will have to unscramble as many words as you can in this game. It is very easy to play with since you don’t need anything but a pen and paper. You can come up with some easy and not so easy keywords, scramble them, and put the scrambled letters on a piece of paper. Then your kid will have to guess the word, and maybe they can even come up with a couple of ones with the letters that are available. If the child has trouble guessing the word at some point, they can use a Wordle cheat until they get the hang of it and can unscramble the words by themselves.

 

Hang Man

Probably there is no need to explain to you how this game is played, but maybe you forgot some of the rules, so let’s cover the basics. Hang Man is another game that you can play only with pen and paper. One person is going to be the main player in each round. They will have to think of a word, count the letters in it, and add a line on the paper for each letter. Then the other players will have to count how many letters there are and try to guess which are the letters inside. If they guess correctly, the letters are added to the paper, but the main player will draw one part of the hangman if they guess wrongly. If the word is not guessed before the whole body of the hangman is drawn, then the main player wins a point. And in case the word is guessed, the player that found out the word will win the point.

Scrabble for kids

Scrabble indeed can be a very complicated game for kids, but some versions are adapted and made very kids-friendly. Scrabble is another perfect game to encourage kids to learn new words, especially their spelling. The rules will be pretty similar where they will get tiles with letters on them. They will try to come up with the longest possible word and put it on the board with those tiles. Each player can also use the letters of the words that are already on the board, similar to crossword puzzles. Of course, there are some tweaks in the game to make it easier for kids. There are many other board games that you can get for your little ones to play by themselves or with you.

Alphabet

Alphabet is a very simple game suitable for young children. Each kid will have to come up with a word that starts with each alphabet letter. They should try to be more creative because only the words that don’t match the other players’ ones are counted. Also, they shouldn’t skip or misplace a letter, or they will lose a point. You can try to put a time limit and see if the kids will be able to come up with a word for each letter on time. It is a perfect game to practice the alphabet and your kids’ creativity. 

Shapewear Vs Waist trainer: Which Is Best For You

So, Shapewear and Waist trainers are two undergarments that are in a trend or fashion you must have in your closet. The working of these two items are different but they are everyone’s need in today’s world.

We are going to cover the difference between shapewear vs waist trainers. The main facts that we explain are their results. 

Lets see which one is best for you and why?

Difference of Shapewear Vs Waist Trainers:

The Shapewear is that type of undergarment which provides an instantly slimmer look and temporary results. It gives you a sexy and smooth figure in any outfit you wear. 

So the shapewear is suitable for everyone who’s looking for the best and shape figure at any event, outing, parties etc. On the other hand, The waist trainers are the one which can permanently fix your body figure by trimming and melting your water fat.

Lets See both of their workings in detail.

Shapewear: How does it work?

As we said above, the shapewear is designed for giving the body a smooth and curvy look that everyone wants. It can be worn easily in any outfit or dress if you want a slimmer and tight figure.

Most of the Women prefer it to wear at work, events and casual outings parties etc.

The main reason that you need shapewear the most in your wardrobe is because of today’s unfigured body type and not having time to slim your body naturally.

It has the ability and the reason for making these undergarments is to save time and instantly change your body figure. You can hide your problems by using shapewear at any time.

So, it also has many types like tummy tuck, butt, thigh fats etc. Choose the one best shapewear for women preferably from the website Hidethatfat.com.

according to your need and choice.

Some shapewear types are below:

  • Tummy Tucker Body Shaper:

This tummy tucker best shapewear for lower belly pooch is specifically designed for only hiding the tummy area fat that makes a problem when wearing any outfit. So these are the ones which are used for lower abdominal areas.

  • Hiding Butt Fat Bodysuits:

It is made for hiding only butt area fat that is looking extra to the whole body whenever you wear any dress. It looks weird. These bodysuits are especially for this problem.

  • Thighs Fat Body Shaper:

Most of the Women’s have big thighs that make them look attractive and sexy. The high thigh fat body shapers are made for these problems and instantly gives you relief from this issue.

Waist Trainers: How it works and benefits?

Now the Waist Trainers are the one which mainly helps your body in the long term. It is purely made from highly compression neoprene materials that have the ability to produce more sweat and melt fat quickly.

It can also control your body to expand more and best for reducing waist size or achieving perfect hourglass body figure.

Just like shapewear, Waist trainers also help in making you slimmer instantly and give a perfect look. You can achieve an hourglass look permanently if you use it in a consistent way.

You should use it at least for about 8 hours a day to get maximum results from it. You just have two options, if you want a temporary fix then you have to opt for shapewear. However, if you want a permanent solution you can go for a well-constructed best waist trainer.

The working of waist trainers improves your posture and figure. Also, it helps you to achieve the best figure that boosts your confidence at any event.

So if you want a permanent solution you can go for waist trainers as per our suggestion and if you want temporary results you can select shapewear.

Some types of Waist Trainers Are:

  • Lower Abdomen Waist Trainer:

It is the most commonly used waist trainer that is special for losing belly fat and gives you a perfect hourglass shape. The lower belly waist trimmer produces more sweat at 2x level and burns the extra fat within 1-2 weeks.

  • Post Pregnancy Waist Girdles:

These types of waist trainers are made for mommies who have the C-section and their figures are disturbed after surgery. The pregnancy waist trainer is made for these women to attain back their original figure and stand out freely anywhere.

  • Muffin Tops Waist Trainer:

So, this is also one of the most common problems for each woman. This waist trainer of muffin tops specifically works on trimming the big muffin tops that show back of your waistline and looks very weird in every outfit.

FAQs:

Is shapewear and waist trainer the same?

No, They both are different in the long run. If you want instant results then they work the same but we suggest shapewear for instant or quick results.

Can you use shapewear as a waist trainer?

No, Shapewear only hides the extra fat on your body that makes you feel weird and your figure does not look good. You can not use shapewear as a waist trainer as each of them have different workings.

Which is a better waist trainer or corset?

Waist Trainers are the best solution for your problems in the long run. It trims your extra fat as a result of sweat and shapes your body as its original shape.

Does waist training flatten your stomach?

Yes, Waist training is the best solution for a flatter stomach as there is no other solution. Instead of that, You can use a waist trainer with exercise and diet to flatten your stomach within 1-2 weeks.

Overall Conclusion:

As we stated, The Difference of Shapewear Vs Waist Trainers is which one is best for you. You can choose according to your goals, and your needs.

We have explained all the aspects regarding waist trainers working, their results and shapewear as well so consider according to your taste.

Food and Supplements for a Youthful Skin

Aging is a natural process, and nothing you do can stop it. However, you can add grace to your aging process. Living in low-stress conditions, exercising, and eating healthy are regarded as one of the best ways to have healthy skin as you age. Although, The Manhattan Rhinoplasty helps patients to obtain an aesthetically beautiful, anatomically functional nose using advanced surgical techniques.

 

Our skin starts to have dark spots, wrinkles, and frickles as it ages. It is because of the presence of free radicals on the skin. Therefore, you need to prevent the skin from inflammation and reduce free radicals in the skin. You can achieve healthy skin by making a few lifestyle and dietary changes. Read on to find out how! 

 

Food and Supplements for Your Skin 

The most considerable organ in your body is the skin. It relies on various nutrients and vitamins for undergoing naturally healthy aging. Adding food rich in protein, healthy fat, and oxidants helps make your skin look and feel good as you age. You can use natural supplements to complete the required nutritional value in your body if you are not fond of eating much food. Here is a list of foods and accompaniments that can help you have more youthful skin as you age. 

 

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

Are you looking for an oil that helps in skin enrichment and lowers the risk of diseases such as metabolic syndrome? If yes, then extra virgin olive oil is the answer. It is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. As a result, it is a great choice to reduce inflammation in the skin. In addition, the presence of monosaturated fats helps in reducing skin aging.

 

  • Collagen Peptides 

Collagen is present in high amounts in our skin and joints. As we age, the bodies reduce collagen production and break it down. As a result, the skin begins to sag and have wrinkles. 

 

Therefore, you can start taking natural supplements or eating tofu, eggs, and chicken to accelerate collagen production will help in keeping your skin healthy. In addition, avoid smoking and sun tanning to reduce collagen breakdown. 

 

  • Flax Seeds 

Flax seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid. Therefore, consuming flax seeds every day will improve the skin membrane and keep it hydrated. In addition, it also helps in reducing inflammation. 

 

  • Green Tea

Green is highly-rich in antioxidants, notably polyphenols. Antioxidants are essential to stabilize the number of free radicals in your skin. Going out in the sun, keeping stressed, and normal skin functions produce free radicals. They can damage your skin. Having green tea every day will help reduce free radicals, thus, better skin. In addition, it also helps in reducing the risk of heart disease, neurological decline, etc. 

 

  • Vegetables 

Eating vegetables is essential for having healthy and youthful skin. Most vegetables are rich in nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Our skin needs several nutrients and vitamins like vitamin C, E, carotenoids, etc., to fight premature aging. 

 

You can include pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potato in your diet will help in improving the skin and many other health issues. Moreover, different color of vegetables represents an additional antioxidant; thus, include them all in your diet for the best results. 

 

Final Words 

It is essential to understand that our skin is what food we eat. Adding a high-fiber diet, antioxidant-rich vegetables, and fruits will result in glowing and healthy skin. In addition, keeping your skin hydrated is the key to nurturing skin benefits from your dietary and skincare routines. 

 

Gambler’s Choice: Five Great Books from 2021

Outside of casinos and pure chance, a well-informed bet is not as much of a gamble as it might be.

In our ever-changing and often divisive modern world, it’s important to stay informed, and build empathy with the perspectives of others.

That idea was the key one behind this list. A couple of books for gamblers, a couple featuring gamblers and gambling, one slightly controversial New Zealand bestseller and one left-field choice. All published in 2021. Happy reading!

Punters: How Paddy Power Bet Billions and Changed Gambling Forever (Aaron Rogan)

If you’ve ever been to the UK or Ireland or watched UK sports, you’ll no doubt have seen the Paddy Power brand. Brits love this sports betting chain (or bookies as they call them) and their adverts are everywhere.

However, even in New Zealand – you’ve probably seen adverts from Paddy’s parent company, Flutter.

Flutter is now the single biggest gambling business in the world. Bigger than brands you might know better, like MGM or Caesar’s.

How did they get there? How did a bunch of Irish misfits create a multibillion-dollar business? Aaron Rogan does a good job of revealing all, without shying away from some of the societal issues that gambling can cause.

Fancy a cheeky punt after reading that one? Well, you might not be able to play at Paddy Power in NZ right now, but there’s a $5 deposit online casino we could recommend for you.

Source:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Paddy_Power%2C_North_End_Road%2C_Fulham%2C_London_01.jpg/1280px-Paddy_Power%2C_North_End_Road%2C_Fulham%2C_London_01.jpg]

Auē (Becky Manawatu)

OK, so this one wasn’t actually published in 2021. But Auē was that year’s bestseller in New Zealand. As it also was in 2020.

Auē, the tale of two orphan Māori children and their struggles with poverty and gang violence, also won loads of awards and praise from some of New Zealand’s most eminent writers. Not bad for a debut novel!

Although some Māori contested its depictions, Auē received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Its moving tale has captivated audiences across the world and sold hundreds of thousands of copies, helping to spread awareness of not just the problems but also the beauty in all New Zealand’s cultures.

You Can’t Lose Them All: Tales of a Degenerate Gambler and His Ridiculous Friends (Sal Iacono)

Sal Iacono, better known as Cousin Sal, has had a long career in American sports broadcasting. He’s worked for Fox, WWE and has been one of the USA’s biggest tipsters for many years.

He’s known as Cousin Sal, not because he’s a mobster as you might think, but because he’s cousins with famous talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.

This book details some of the crazy bets Sal has made in his career, as well as the famous (and infamous) faces he has made bets with. All in Sal’s unique and comic tone of voice!

The Four Winds (Kristin Hannah)

This powerful American Depression-era melodrama was one of the best-selling books of 2021. It details two generations of a young Texas family, deciding whether to abandon their dust bowl farm and head West into California – or stay and work for their home soil.

It brings to life characters with real evocative spirit – if you’re interested in old-timey Americana, you’ll love this one.

Source:https://the-bibliofile.com/socialimages/fourwindssocial.jpg

First Person Singular (Haruki Murakami)

A bit of a left-field choice, and definitely not a bestseller. However, the pretentious poetry reader’s novelist of choice is undeniably one of the finest writers in the world.

The award-winning Japanese storyteller was back in 2021 with a collection of short stories. Each one is told in the titular first-person singular – aka the perspective of the character who is also the narrator.

However, in typical Murakami fashion, that concept isn’t quite as simple as it seems. Other narrators, potentially Murakami himself, float in through the prose and offer their thoughts with little or no explanation.

Music. Baseball. Ghosts. Tranquillity by the sea. Talking monkeys writing jazz albums.

All of the above. Murakami drifts between topics but in a purposeful fashion, like a floating lantern on a stream.

We told you it was a left-field choice for our last book, are you in for the ride? 

12 Baby Essentials You Can’t Live Without

Having a baby is one of the most beautiful things in the world. They are so innocent and pure, and they bring a new level of joy to your life. But before you can experience all of that, you need to make sure your home is ready for your little one! There are many items that you will need to buy before the baby comes, but don’t worry – we have compiled a list of the twelve essentials that you can’t live without. Keep reading for more information!

Photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash

A Crib

This is probably the most essential item on the list. First, your baby will need a comfortable place to sleep, and a crib is a perfect option. However, make sure to pick one that is sturdy and has a good mattress.

A Changing Table

You will be spending a lot of time changing your baby’s diapers, so it’s essential to have a dedicated changing table. Look for one with plenty of storage space so that you can keep all of your supplies close at hand.

Baby Tableware

When thinking of one of the first essentials, bottles immediately come into one’s mind. They are easy to carry, to feed your baby in public and your baby just loves them. There is a wide variety of bottles in the market to choose from. When babies outgrow the bottle feeding age, you can also opt for a feeding set for babies which contains plates and stay-put bowls to help prevent the mess during the feeding.

Baby clothes

Of course, you will need to have some clothes for your little one to wear! Make sure to stock up on onesies, sleepers, and other basics. You might also want to pick out a few cute outfits for special occasions.

 

General Medication

While you might not need it right away, you’ll want to have some infant pain reliever and gas drops on hand just in case. You’ll also want to stock up on baby Pamol.

 

First-aid Kit

A well-stocked first-aid kit is a must for any home, but it’s especially important if you have a baby. Be sure to include items like bandages, gauze, and antiseptic cream.

 

A Stroller

You will definitely need a stroller so that you can take your baby out and about. Look for one that is lightweight and easy to maneuver.

 

A Car Seat

A car seat is an absolute must if you want to take your baby anywhere in the car. However, make sure to choose one that is age and size-appropriate.

 

Baby Formula

If you are not breastfeeding, you will need to buy baby formula. There are many different types on the market, so talk to your doctor or a lactation consultant to find the best one for your baby.

 

Diapers

You will go through A LOT of diapers, so be sure to stock up! You can either buy disposable diapers or cloth diapers. If you go with cloth, you will also need to get a diaper pail and some laundry detergent specifically for babies.

Photo by Sarah  Chai

Wipes

You will use wipes for everything from changing diapers to cleaning up spills. Look for ones that are gentle on the skin and free of harmful chemicals.

 

Baby Lotion

Baby skin is very sensitive, so you will need to use a special lotion to keep it healthy and hydrated. Also, look for one that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

 

Baby Shampoo

Just like with lotion, you will need to use a special shampoo on your baby’s hair. Again, look for a gentle, tear-free formula.

 

Home Security Reviews from the Best Sources: online, experts, and customers

When you’re looking for the best home security system, where do you turn? Online reviews are a great place to start, but they can be biased. Expert opinions are helpful, but who’s to say they’re right? What about customer reviews? Are they reliable and trustworthy? In this article, we’ll look at online reviews from the best sources: experts, customers, and trusted websites. 

We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of each type of review. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which home security system is best for you!

Online Reviews from Experts

When it comes to online reviews, experts are one of the best sources of information. They’re knowledgeable about the products they review, and they have no vested interest in pushing one product over another. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when looking at expert opinions:

  • Not all experts are created equal. Some experts are paid to give their opinion, while others do it for free. While this doesn’t necessarily make one better than another, it’s important to know who you’re reading and why they’re giving their opinion in the first place!
  • Experts often have a bias toward certain brands or features – even if they don’t realize it. It’s important to read expert reviews with a critical eye and see if the opinion is based on personal preference or real-world experience.

Online Reviews from Customers

Customer reviews are another great source of information when looking for the best home security system. They’re honest, unbiased, and often provide detailed information about their experience with a product. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind when reading customer reviews:

  • Not all customers are created equal. Some customers are more vocal than others and leave longer, more detailed reviews. Others might only write a short review if they’re unhappy with a product. It’s important to read all the reviews, not just the best or worst ones!
  • Customers can be biased toward certain brands or features – even if they don’t realize it. It’s important to read customer reviews with a critical eye and see if the opinion is based on personal preference or real-world experience.

Online Reviews from Trusted Websites

Some websites are better than others at providing reviews, but a few stand out above the rest. These sites have been around for a long time and have earned their trustworthiness through years of quality content creation and honest opinions. The best online review websites include:

  • Consumer Reports (CR) – An independent nonprofit organization that provides unbiased product ratings across all industries.
  • The Wirecutter – A website that reviews and recommends products based on in-house testing.
  • PCMag – A website that provides technology news, reviews, and how-to tips.

When it comes to online home security system reviews, experts, customers, and trusted websites are the best sources. By reading reviews from all three of these sources, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which system is best for your needs!

Enjoy the Fresh Air with a Magnetic Screen Door

If you’re looking for a way to let in the fresh air while keeping the bugs out, a magnetic screen door is a perfect solution! These doors attach to your doorframe with powerful magnets and keep the bugs out while letting in the fresh air. They are easy to install and can be taken down easily when not in use. Plus, they’re affordably priced, so you can enjoy the fresh air without breaking the bank!

 

If you’re not sure which magnetic screen door is right for you, we’ve got a few tips on what to look for before you go shopping.

 

Things to look for when shopping for a magnetic screen door:

 

  1. The size of the door

 

Make sure to measure the width and height of your door to ensure that you get a screen door that will fit. The way the door attaches to the frame is also essential, so make sure to check that before you buy.

 

Some magnetic screen doors come with a kit that includes everything you need to install it, while others require assembly. If you’re not handy with tools, make sure to get a door that is easy to assemble.

 

  1. The strength of the magnets

 

The magnets on a magnetic screen door need to be strong enough to keep the bugs out but not so strong that they keep the door from closing. The door must be able to close by itself to be locked when you’re not home.

 

If you have a pet that likes to wander in and out of the house, get a screen door that offers this option. The door should clasp closed quickly after your pet goes through it.

 

  1. The quality of the screen

 

The screen on a magnetic screen door needs to be durable and withstand the weather. It should also be easy to clean so that it doesn’t become dirty over time.

 

Make sure to read the reviews of a magnetic screen door before you buy it to get an idea of the quality of the screen. The most important thing is that the screen keeps the bugs out!

 

  1. The price

 

A magnetic door screen is an excellent investment, especially if you like fresh air in your home but don’t want to deal with bugs. In addition, they are affordably priced, so you can get one without spending too much money.

 

The cost of a magnetic screen door can vary depending on the size and quality of the door, but they are generally affordable. You won’t spend a fortune to enjoy the fresh air!

 

  1. The warranty

 

A good magnetic screen door should come with a warranty if there are any problems with it. Make sure to read the warranty before you buy the door to ensure that you’re covered in case of any issues.

 

The warranty should cover any defects in the materials or workmanship of the door. That will give you peace of mind that you’re covered if something goes wrong.

 

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to go shopping for a magnetic screen door! If you’re the type who likes to enjoy the fresh air, this is the perfect solution for you! But, enjoying the outdoors without the bugs has never been so easy!

 

Movement In A Box

In the past I had subscriptions for make-up or snack boxes but never an activity box!  In the past, boxes came and months went on.  I would have a drawer or cupboard full of useless items. Things I would end up never using and then throwing away! This equates to so much waste. 

 I don’t at all see that to be the case with the Movement In A Box.   I feel the opposite.  With the high quality items we received in our Ready, Set Swing Box.    Everything we got in our box has multiple purposes. The creators even thought about organization of the items after use.  The box included a netted bag for easy storage and maintenance. 

In our first box included two foam rackets, bash birdie, six snowballs (in various sizes), various colored cones and my favorite, a movement guide. 

https://movementinabox.com/products/ready-set-swing

Foam Rackets: 

These foam rackets are high quality. The handles are padded making it easy for tiny hands to hold. There is a cloth lining around the entire top of the racket. This lining is really helpful to protect the hardwood floors in the house. 

Bash Birdie: 

This birdie is multi-colored and textured. Aurora loved talking about the colors and textures. Aurora loved throwing it around as the birdie rolls differently than our other balls.  Aurora also loved balancing the birdie on the racket! 

Snow Balls: 

The snow balls are soft and fluffy like cotton balls but are ultra durable. We have been hitting them around the house, pulling, hitting and carrying the snowballs for several weeks. They have held up really well. (And no broken items in the house since they are so soft) They are durable enough for my two year old to run around the house hitting them with the racket.  And then soft enough for my five month old to roll around chew and drool on. 

Colored Cones: 

These cones are super versatile, colorful and useful for countless activities. They aren’t hard like some cones, rather they are pliable. They are forgiving for a clumsy toddler.

My favorite: Movement Guide: 

I LOVE this guide!! This guide has 12 activities with the four categories of items included in the box. The guide helps educate the caregiver with nuggets of knowledge.  Increasing engagement between caregiver and child.  The guide is like having a child development specialist right in your living room helping to guide engaged play.  Movement Guides literally outlines activity with direct, simple and easy instructions for activity 1 through 12. These step by step guides and QR codes throughout make instruction and reference a breeze.

The guide outlines the skills that the box is designed to help kids develop essential skills. For example, this movement box fosters development: Locomotor skills ( run, walk, slide, March)  Stability: (Bend stretch, turn, lift, reach) Manipulative: Strike, catch, toss. Learning concepts: Counting, spatial awareness, body awareness/control, listening skills and body part awareness. 

This guide is tired momma gold! I love this guide! This guide is so helpful after a demanding day at work when I am not feeling very creative or engaged (guilty tired working momma here). The direction and resource of the movement guide provides help to direct creative and engaging play with my children.   This education helped me understand the importance for carving out play time. Additionally the guide helped me be more creative and adapt the play for my five month old. I was able to utilize the cones and snow balls for a miniature baby floor obstacle course.

 

One of the did you know sections in the movement guide explained that both children and parents benefit from play time. I learned that when caregivers and children engage in affectionate play time that the bonding hormone oxytocin is released.  This is the same hormone that allows nursing mothers to bond to their infants. This realization has helped me reinforce the importance of carving out this time with Aurora and Arlen every day.  

 

In conclusion, I really enjoyed playing with my children with the items in our Movement In A Box. The items are engaging, durable and interchangeable for numerous activities. Activities that foster healthy lifestyles for my family.    I am looking forward to trying some of the other boxes such as, the Shape Exploration Box to help Aurora work on shapes and colors.

 

Getting the kiddos to hold still to get photos taken was quite the feat. ( But that is the point)

Aurora  is excited about the the cones being set up  for an obstacle course!
Arlen loved rolling around the with cones and snowballs.
Ready Set Swing!
Baby style obstacle course! Different textures and colors help stimulate brain function!
Crawl Baby Crawl!