Month: April 2023

Graduation Cards Online: Celebrate Your Milestone Online

As graduation season approaches, many graduates face the challenge of celebrating their milestones in a new and unique way. With the rise of virtual events and online communication, sending virtual graduation cards has become popular. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of virtual graduation cards, provide tips for designing them, share virtual graduation card ideas, and discuss how to send them.

 

Benefits of Virtual Graduation Cards

 

Virtual graduation cards offer many benefits, including convenience, affordability, and eco-friendliness. Unlike traditional paper cards, virtual cards can be designed and sent online, which saves time and money. Additionally, virtual cards are more environmentally friendly since they don’t require paper, ink, or postage.

Sending graduation cards online is also a great way to stay connected with friends and family who cannot attend in-person celebrations. With virtual cards, you can easily share your graduation news and accomplishments with loved ones who live far away or cannot travel to attend your graduation.

 

Tips for Designing Virtual Graduation Cards

 

When designing virtual graduation cards, there are a few things to remember. First, choose a design that reflects your personality and style. Whether you prefer a simple and classic design or something more fun and colorful, make sure your card represents you.

Next, consider adding photos or videos to your virtual graduation card. Including images of yourself in your graduation outfit or with your diploma can make your card more personal and meaningful. You can also record a short video message to share with your recipients.

Finally, include essential details like your graduation date, school name, and degree earned. These details will help your recipients remember your milestone and celebrate with you.

 

Virtual Graduation Card Ideas

 

Many virtual graduation card ideas exist, depending on your style and preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

 

Animated cards: Animated cards are a fun and playful way to celebrate graduation. You can choose from various animations, such as confetti, balloons, or fireworks.

 

Photo collage cards: Photo collage cards are a great way to showcase your favorite graduation photos. You can creatively arrange your photos to make a special card.

 

Typography cards: Typography cards use creative typography and design to make a bold statement. You can choose various fonts and colors to make your card stand out.

 

Sending Virtual Graduation Cards

 

Once you’ve designed your virtual graduation card, it’s time to send it to your recipients. There are many ways to send virtual cards, including email, social media, or messaging apps.

If you’re emailing your card, include a personalized message to each recipient. This will make your card more meaningful and show appreciation for their support.

If you’re sending your card via social media or messaging apps, tag your recipients or send them directly. This will ensure that they see your card and can celebrate with you.

 

Benefits of Sending Virtual Graduation Cards on Social Media

 

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer a unique way to share your virtual graduation cards. By posting your card on social media, you can reach a larger audience and receive more congratulatory messages.

In addition, social media platforms allow you to tag your friends and family, making it easy for them to see your card and share in your celebration. You can also use hashtags to connect with other graduates and celebrate together.

However, it’s important to remember that social media platforms are public, so make sure only to share information that you’re comfortable with the world seeing. You can also adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your posts.

 

Conclusion

 

Graduation cards online offer a convenient, eco-friendly, and personal way to celebrate your milestone. Following the tips and ideas outlined in this article, you can create a memorable virtual graduation card that reflects your personality and style.

Whether you send your card via email, social media, or messaging apps, add a personal message to each recipient and include essential details like your graduation date and degree earned. And remember to tag your friends and family, or send the card directly to them to ensure they see and celebrate with you.

So go ahead and design your virtual graduation card, and share your accomplishment with the world!

 

 

 

8 Steps to Change a Child’s Challenging Behavior

Let’s find out about practical steps to help adults facing challenging child behavior.

Set a Goal

It’s good if parents know exactly what the child’s behavior is – unacceptable, threatening, or creating difficulties for himself or herself or those around him or her. Unfortunately, such a situation is rare.

 

Often adults try to educate their children in everything and at once. They make an endless list of demands on the child: excellent grades, a clean room, and “normal” hairstyles. Someone gets a run in the morning with his mother at the stadium.

 

With this approach, the only thing guaranteed to the family is resistance and scandals. So before you take on parenting, think, observe. Compare your requests with reality and stop at 1-3 points in the list of requirements, failure to comply with which causes much difficulty for you and the child.

Weigh the Pros and Cons

At this stage we suggest that you think again carefully about how critical and difficult the behavior of the child is that you would like to change. And how the child’s life and yours would change if he starts to behave differently. Don’t forget: he will become obedient in this aspect not only with you but also with everyone else.

 

Next, learn from books or discuss with a psychologist the natural characteristics of age-related development. Learn about the theory of age crises. You will understand if your child is going through a turning point right now. If so, then perhaps all the observed difficulties in behavior is one of the natural manifestations of age development. You just need to wait it out.

 

Check the legitimacy of the demands made. Do they not violate the rights of the child? Maybe the child has simply grown up, and he is still treated as a child. In that case, the adults are simply trying to enter someone else’s territory.

Become Sherlock Holmes

Give up emotional shouting and abstract phrases like, “He’s driving me crazy!” All you need here are the facts. Try to talk through exactly what your child is doing that makes him crazy. When does he do it? All the time? Perhaps there have been times when he hasn’t? Get rid of labels and generalizations, describing situations that are difficult for you and the child’s actions in specific words.

Explain to the Child What’s Bothering You

At this stage, three-part “self-statements” can be an indispensable tool. This is the most honest and environmentally friendly way to tell the other person what is happening to you and why he or she isn’t acting the way you would like.

 

The wording scheme for the statement is as follows: the first part is about you and your feelings – “I’m angry…”, “I’m afraid…”, “I get upset…”. Remember, there is a fundamental difference between the phrases “I’m angry…” and “You made me angry…”. Because you’re the one who’s angry. And the child just decided to dye his hair green without any intention to piss off the adults.

 

The second part of the statement – the words about the actions of the child that seem difficult. And here it’s important to evaluate the words and actions, but not the qualities of the personality. You should say, “When you listen to music loudly, then…”. But not, “You grew up selfish, so you don’t let me rest…”. It was for the possibility of such specific formulations that you became Sherlocks in the third stage.

 

The third part is to explain why this behavior is difficult and what you would like in return. For example, like this, “I’m really tired today and I have a headache and want to play at the TonyBet login website this evening. Could you please listen to some music on your headphones?” The effect of these phrases is often so powerful that the situation is resolved without further steps.

Look for a Need

If you have researched the situation well, this step will probably not be a difficult task for you. In fact, you need to find the answer to two simple questions. First: why does the child behave this way – what does he want to get? And what does he get if he persists in this behavior? And the second question: does he know the alternative? That is, does he know a more environmentally friendly way to get what he wants? Is there an opportunity for him to get what he wants in your family that way?

Learn How to Get What You Want in a Different Way

If the child knows that his mother will pay attention to him without tantrums, there will be no need for them. If the recognition of bad grades isn’t a reason for punishment, but an opportunity to get support and together find a way out of the situation, there will be no point in lying about the grades. The task of the parent is to expand the boundaries of the child’s experience, to teach him to achieve his goals in a more comfortable and safe way.

Support, Praise, or Let the Consequences Come

Behavioral change, of course, won’t happen in a minute. You have a long way to go, during which it is important to support and praise every “sprout” of new behavior. And it’s also important to remember that supporting good behavior works four times faster, on average, than punishing difficult behavior.

 

So don’t be stingy with praise if a child who previously cheated you has become honest. Pay attention to the washed dishes as emotionally as yelling about the mountain of dirty plates.

 

So what do you do if the difficult behavior doesn’t go away after all? Give the consequences a chance to set in. Unless they pose a threat to the child’s life or health. Didn’t learn his lessons? Fine. You’ll get a “D” tomorrow. Didn’t do the dishes? Fine. We’ll wait for you to wash them – we’ll sit without plates. Remember the needs and reinforcements of difficult behavior, and avoid it.

How To Make The Most Of Every Room In Your Home

Your home needs to be a place you enjoy spending time in, and you should like every room. If you currently have rooms you don’t use or that you think don’t look as great as others, why is that? Could you do anything to make the most of every room instead of shutting the doors and ignoring what you have? The answer is yes, and here are some of the ways you can do it. 

Photo by Esra Afşar

 

Make A Plan

Before you can start with your renovations and changes, you’ll need to have a plan. If you just jump right in, you might find that you run out of time, money, or energy, and that the results are not what you wanted. A plan will ensure you can get everything done, and you’ll have a timeframe to work to. This will stop you from getting overwhelmed, and it will help you when it comes to budgeting as well. 

 

Sometimes it’s the planning itself that can be the problem, especially if you’ve never done any renovating before and don’t know where to start. If you’re really having problems, speaking to experts like those at McEntire Construction Services can help. You’ll get some ideas, costs, and even timeframes, and it might be that hiring experts is the right call in the end anyway. 

 

Make Enough Storage

If you have an entire room in your home (or perhaps an attic or basement) that is solely used for storing old things and items in boxes that you haven’t looked at for a long time, you’re not alone. A ‘junk room’ is a staple of many homes, but it’s a terrible way to make the most of every room. It’s actually taking an entire room away from you. 

 

The best thing to do is declutter and remove everything you don’t need – you’ll probably find there is a lot, and it might surprise you. Once that’s done, think about storage. If you can add enough storage to your rooms, you’ll free up a lot of space and be able to use them all more easily and in the right ways. Add cupboards, shelving, or even furniture with hidden storage, like sofas and coffee tables. Your room will look great, and everything will have a place. 

 

Let In Natural Light 

Natural light is always the best kind of lighting to have, and the more you can allow in a room, the more comfortable and enticing it will be. If you have a room that’s dark and unloved, could it be the lighting that’s the problem? 

 

Think about your windows and whether there is anything blocking them, inside or outside (you might need to cut back on some bushes or shrubs if that’s the case). Look at your window treatments and dressings; are your curtains heavy and dark? You might be blocking natural light in that case. Switch these curtains for lighter ones or even blinds. 

 

If you can’t get any more natural light into the property, add some mirrors to the walls to reflect what light you do have and make things brighter. On top of that, make sure you use light colours to decorate with, and this will instantly make the room much more usable, so you can make the most of it. 

MamatheFox’s 2022 Gift Guide for Kids

 

 Rengöra’s Turtle Wall Art Set

If you are looking for a cute room update for a kid in your life, then you should consider getting the new Turtle Wall Art Set from Rengöra. I just love these adorable detailed metal sea turtle set for ocean and beach decor enthusiasts. Being a green-hued color, these turtles bring beachy charm indoors and outdoors. You can use that as bedroom, bathroom or even beach out decorations.

 

 The Butterfly Swaddle

Do you have a new baby on your shopping list? Looking for a gift that will be useful and appreciated? Consider gifting them a Butterfly Swaddle. Parents all over are falling in love with The Butterfly Swaddle, and you will too! The Butterfly Swaddle is a safe, high-quality, organic, and versatile swaddle that allows a gentle and safe approach to swaddling your baby while the startle reflex is strong and even helps with transitioning them out of the swaddle when they are ready. It is important to acknowledge that all babies are different and every parent knows their child best. The versatility in the uses of the swaddle intuitively allows parents to choose to use the swaddle in the best way they see fit for their baby’s preferences – from very snug and cozy, to gently limited arm movement – all of which leads to better sleep.  This all-in-one swaddle and sleep training system will ease your baby into peaceful sleep and grows with them as they get bigger.

 

 Catch the Moon

Climb through the clouds and reach for the moon! All it takes is a few cleverly placed ladders, a steady hand, and a bit of imagination. Reach for the moon, but don’t stretch yourself too thin, or you may lose the ladders under your feet. With the right mix of suspense and risk taking, you will ascend to success. Dexterity/stacking game with whimsical theme and beautiful design Players take turns rolling a die to determine how they must place their wooden ladder (must touch one other ladder, two other ladders, or be the highest point) Ladders will shift as more pieces are added, adding an element of suspense and unpredictability Raindrops are given to players whose ladders causes the structure to collapse; the winner is the player with the least amount of raindrops at the end of the game.

 

Upbounders®️ Picnic Panic Cooperative Game for Kids

It’s almost picnic time and you’ve got to get ready before your guests arrive! In Upbounders Picnic Panic cooperative game for kids, players work together to gather all the supplies needed to throw an awesome backyard cookout. You’ve got a lot of stuff to gather, but don’t worry – there are shortcuts. About Upbounders The world belongs to kids. They need to feel they belong in the world. This is why at Upbounders everything we do promotes belonging. With high-quality products, we support all families in making sure all our future minds are seen and loved. GAME CONTENTS: (1) game board, (1) oversized wooden die, (4) player pawns, (1) guests pawn, (5) paper stands, (6) target cards, and instructions.

 

 Taco vs Burrito

Created by a Kid +Perfect for everyone. Alex dreamed up Taco vs Burrito at age 7, but this crazy, fun strategic food fight is a smash with kids and adults alike! Ideal for ages from 7-77. This game is easy to learn and quick to play; It takes only a few minutes to learn. Gameplay runs 10-15 minutes. Optimal for 2-4 players. There are 5 ways to play this game. Includes 24 Food Cards, 32 Action Cards, 4 Quick Start Cards, 4 Taco + Burritos and 1 Rule sheet.

 

Double Ditto

Double Ditto is a fast paced family game that can be played with kids 8 years & up to adults. A customizable card game that allows for creativity with answers and has other players guessing the answers of competitors. How to Play: Pick a card, read it aloud, & quickly write down two answers you think others will imagine. Laugh or cry as you discover if you were correct. Find out whose mind is in sync with yours. It may not be who you’d expect! Creativity is key! What You Get: 400 category cards, a 15-second timer, score sheets, & instruction card. Play Time: 25 minutes. (**8 and 9-year-olds with strong reading and writing skills may also enjoy playing, and younger players may “team up” with an adult). Purchase Double Double Ditto Expansion pack on Amazon for extra cards and fun!

 

 Spoof

Spoof is the hilarious bluffing board game that will have you talking and laughing all night. Provides the best party games for adults and family. Be Creative & Fool Your Friends: “Spoof” your friends by making up clever, fake answers to fun trivia such as “_______ is the national bird of Japan.” “_______ is illegal to have on your porch in Arizona.” Be careful with the correct answers! Learn how to play Spoof in just 5 min. Ages 10 plus but younger players may play by teaming up with an adult. 4-8 Players. Playtime is 30 min.

 

Rising Sun Baby Reversible Teether

Teething can be a difficult time for some babies, but with Rising Sun teething rings you can make it easier for them. Offer instant gum relief and keep your little one happy with Rising Sun Baby Reversible Teether in blue, red, pink, yellow or green. This teething toy is made for tiny hands, it’s easy to grip and soothes sore gums in no time! In other words, your child can chew safely, which will ease their discomfort and distract them from any pain. These teething rings are made in Japan with ultra-premium BPA-free and phthalate-free non toxic medical grade silicone (which is far better than food grade). The soft yet durable silicone soothes your child’s gums while acting as a sensory toy. You can safely put them in the freezer or in the dishwasher, making it easy to clean and sterilize them.

 

BraveJusticeKidsCo. 

If there are kids in the house, there are probably lots of snacks in the fridge and pantry, and if there are snacks then there are probably snack cups of some sort. The Snack Attack Baby Snack Cup from BraveJusticeKidsCo. is such a modern, sleek way to carry snacks for the kiddos. Made from 100% silicone, this cup is super easy to clean, and perfect for little hands. Due to the silicone material, the cup is durable enough for kids. This means that it will not rip or break during use, which is obviously a must when kids are handling it. With very large handles, kids will easily be able to hold the cup and reach for food at the same time. This feature makes the cup perfect for stroller and car use – both places and times when kids are needing to be more independent. Many different colors are available to purchase, lots that will appeal to moms of kiddos.

Mabel’s Labels

Giving practical gifts is just as important as “fun” gifts, but these labels are fun and practical! Mabel’s Labels creates labels that stick to many different types of surfaces, even clothing too. These labels are great for keeping track of all kinds of kid items including water bottles, backpacks, shoes, clothes, lunch boxes, pencil pouches, and so much more. All the labels are high quality, washable, and very affordable. Lots of styles, colors, fonts, and shapes are available; personalizing them is super fun! These labels are a great stocking stuffer for any child on your list.

 

 Kids First Huey: The Line-Tracking, Color-Sensing Robot

Learn to code with Huey, your color-sensing robot pal. This kit offers kids a hands-on, screen-free introduction to the world of robotics and coding. With a built-in color sensor, Huey navigates around maps that you create using 81 puzzle-shaped tiles. Huey recognizes the colors of the 32 coding discs, which tell it whether to turn right, turn left, or continue straight. Huey makes fun sounds and movements as it travels around the map, revving its engine as it gets started, and doing a little dance when it reaches home. You can also create your own maps and then challenge your friends to solve them. The possibilities are virtually infinite!

Blobby’s Pizza Math Card Game

As a parent, I love games that include an educational aspect. This winter we are going to keep the kids sharp with math (fractions, decimals and percentages) as they eat their way to victory in the incredibly fun and strategic pizza eating contest between cute monsters! In order to win, you’ll build whole pizzas out of pizza fraction cards and try to get the highest bill. The most fun way to get better at fractions, decimals and percentages! Tabulate your check from the pizza you collected and the whoever has the highest bill wins the game.  Menu prices emphasize addition with decimals while adding another layer of strategic play. A realistic Guest Check score pad makes adding decimals easier, with enough room for annotations, if needed. Also included is a color-coded Tax & Tip “Tip Card” that teaches basic percentage calculations during an advanced play version.

 

 Full of Bull! Dice Bluffing & Mental Math Game

Keeping the educational games rolling with Full of Bull! This dice bluffing and mental math game by multi-award winning Semper Smart Games that helps kids master multiplication and addition. Suitable for younger kids who are working on higher digit multiplication tables or older kids who need mental math practice.  Includes a dice rolling cup with viewing window and dry-erase bidding puck double as a convenient game container for fun on the go. Win bids to win points! Players use two shared dice and two hidden dice (under cup) to calculate bids, or use chips or bluffs to increase your bid. Multiply the two highest dice and add two lower dice (from hidden and shared dice) to produce a bid total and then write bids on the bidding puck. Players can use correct math–or bluff–when bidding. But watch out, opponents can earn points by calling Bull! or lose points when a bluff is called! This is a great game for kids in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.

 

Don’t Go Boom

Your Mission? Don’t Go Boom! Get the lowest score in 3 rounds by totaling up the numbers on each player’s minefield cards. Watch out for Big Bad Bomb cards, they’re worth 15 points each. Explosively fun card games by Inspiration Play. Inspired by the parlor card game, Golf. Family card games are where it’s at! Improve your kids counting and math skills while having fun and ditching virtual play. Our travel games for kids help teach your child social skills, math, and the art of kicking some serious butt.

 

 Happy Little Dinosaurs

Lately, it feels like we’re all just dinosaurs trying to avoid the falling meteors. In this game, you’ll try to dodge all of life’s little disasters. You might fall into a pit of hot lava or get ghosted by your dino date, but the dino who survives it all wins the game! Base Game: Includes 97 standard-sized cards total (28 Disaster cards), 4 Dinosaur Player Boards, 4 Dinosaur Meeples, and 1 Rulebook. In Happy Little Dinosaurs, the first person to reach 50 points, or be the last Dinosaur standing, wins the game! During each round, you’ll flip a Disaster card featuring a Natural, Predatory, or Emotional disaster. Each player will play a Point card in hopes of collecting points and avoiding the disaster. Will you successfully dodge the disasters or get eaten by a prehistoric whale? Only the cards can decide…

 

Bookroo

Bookroo is the perfect gift for the kid whose parents are asking for no more toys! This year give the timeless gift of books in the form of a subscription box. Bookroo has 3 subscription options based on age and reading level. Board Books, which contains 3 sturdy books for kids ages 0-3. The Picture Book club has 2 hardcover books appropriate for kids ages 3-6. The highest level reader option is The Chapter Book and is great for kids ages 7-10 and comes with 2 chapter books. They offer month to month, 3 box prepay, 6 box prepay or 12 box prepay. You will not be disappointed with Bookroo books choices as they are curated to contain the best options for your little reader. As a bonus, each box includes an insert highlighting the books. Insights from the authors or illustrators, parents guide to engage in conversations about the books and even special offers are also included. We cannot rave enough about Bookroo and are sure you will feel the same once your child excitedly cuddles up with a new pile of books.

 

 Ultra Bionic Blaster

Have a blast with this awesome engineering project! Construct an air-powered robotic glove that launches safe foam darts. Learn about pneumatics — technologies that use pressurized air to perform work — and many cool mechanisms as you assemble the blaster from over 100 pieces. After you’ve built and tested your blaster, slide it on and strap it to your wrist. The first pull of the trigger causes the scissor arm to lift up the barrels and launch the first dart. Pull the trigger two more times to launch the next two darts. Grab some additional darts from the reserve clip under your wrist and reload. The blaster is entirely powered by your hand and the amazing pneumatic system — no batteries or motors required! Best for ages 10+. Ages 12+ may be able to build this independently. Children under 12 will most likely need adult assistance in the building process.

Feltman Brothers

The latest Christmas collection from Feltman Brothers brings nostalgia and style to any holiday celebrations. Featuring classic Christmas colored hand embroidered solders, Feltman Brothers’  Holiday Solider collections has the perfect touch of elegance for celebrations and family photoshoots. The solder collection has a wide range of outfit and accessory options to match all of your family’s needs! From preemie to toddler sizes, Feltman Brothers has been creating high quality vintage style baby outfits for over a 100 years.   This holiday season choose Feltman Brothers to make each childhood stage extra special and adorable.

Pediped

Pediped offers a vast variety of innovative shoes for boys and girls sizes newborn to 6 Youth. Their three collections Originals , Grip ‘n’ Go™, and Flex all provide children with high quality leather shoes ideal for healthy foot development. The ultra light technology is specifically designed to support kids’ feet in all activities while providing flexibility and freedom. From school to the playground, or any adventure, Pediped are easy to clean with dependable durability. Pedipeds award-winning design and technology makes them one of the fastest growing children’s footwear brands in the United States! They are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association and ready to fit any child’s footwear needs.

Pediped Flex Avery

The Flex Avery is the perfect all around shoe for casual school days, wild playdates, and fancy holiday parties. These shoes are equipped with Pediped’s unique Flex system which includes inserts that can be added or removed to create the perfect fit for a child’s growing foot! Three color options, black, leopard, and floral, are available to fit the style of any occasion. The winter floral even features artwork by renowned pastel artist Katie Rodgers. All three designs are equipped with double hook and loop fasteners for maximum adjustability.

 

Baby Starters Snuggle Buddy

Price: $12.99: Baby Starters Dolls are made from high-quality, plush material for a lifetime of hugs and play. Made with the highest safety standards for baby, including embroidered eye and nose details. Baby Starters Dolls are soft and snuggly for newborns, infants and toddlers without compromising on design. Extra special details and design makes each doll unique and diversified.

 

 

Joy Toasted Almond

Adorable and cozy, the Joy Toasted Almond baby boots are just too cute! The ultra fluffy faux fur upper lining is warm for winter walks while adding texture and style to any outfit. The footbed is constructed with suede to allow little feet the freedom to bend and wiggle. With a hook and loop fastener these simple boots are easy to get on and off. The Joy Toasted Almond come in sizes newborn to 24month. Like all Pediped shoes, they are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

 

GoSili 

The GoSili 12oz OH! Cup is the cup that looks like mom and dad’s without the spill. This 12oz cup features a 360, spout-free lid so your child can drink from any part of the lid. When your child is not drinking, this lid self-seals to help prevent spills. Made with 100% European grade silicon, the silicone is dishwasher, microwave, and boil safe. Unlike other grades of silicone, European-grade silicone is held to the highest of standards and free of filler materials. It is sustainable, recyclable, stain-resistant, hypoallergenic, and cannot harbor harmful bacteria. To prevent collapsing when gripped, the silicone is embedded with stainless steel rings to keep the shape. This season choose GoSili for a fun and functional gift!

 

Homeroom 325

Studies have shown using visual images can effectively increase learning. However, the things we tend to learn, or teach our children, are not always the most visually appealing. Fortunately Homeroom 325 has designed a line of artwork that is both educational and beautiful. With their children in mind, the owners of Homeroom 325 created artwork that inspired the love of learning while also being complimentary to their home aesthetics. Local artists use modern interpretations of historic artistic techniques, to create posters that are accurate and stunning. All their artwork is printed on FSC-certified paper from recycled fibers. The paper is tear-resistant and has a canvas-like texture. Lastly, Homeroom 325 provides children around the world with a better future by providing meals through purchase income. Allow Homeroom 325 to fill your home with learning and beauty!

 

Ways Age Affects Your Senses And Ways To Stop It

We’re all getting older. There’s very little that we can do about that. We can, however, play a large part in how we get older. There are a lot of elements of your health that you need to pay more attention to as you age, including weight management, heart health, and more. However, one category of health that you can begin to immediately notice changes in as you get older is your senses. Hearing, sight, taste, and more can be at risk if you’re not careful. Here, we’re going to look at what those risks can be, and what you can do to mitigate them as best as possible.

Credit – CC0 License

 

Keep an ear out for your hearing

One of the senses that are most famous for how it can change throughout the years is our hearing. As we get older, we have a higher risk of experiencing changes to our hearing. However, those changes can start to take root when we’re much younger. Exposing our ears to excess noise, especially common via headphones these days, can increase the chance that we experience hearing loss. The single best way to stay on top of your hearing health is to make an appointment with your audiologist and schedule a hearing check. They can let you know if you have any hearing loss, as well as the steps you can take to protect your hearing.

 

Watch out for vision changes

Your eyesight is the one sense, alongside hearing, that’s most vital to how you perceive the world. Some people experience vision changes naturally and you can start wearing glasses to correct it at any point in your life. However, there are elements of self-care, such as nutrition, that can have a huge impact on eyesight. Taking total eye care supplements, taking care to maintain your blood sugar levels, and eating the right foods to maintain your eyesight, such as fish, red peppers, and dark, leafy vegetables can help you fight off some of the age-related deterioration that so commonly affects our eyesight. Of course, getting it checked out by an optician is the best way to get an idea of the current condition of your eyes, as well.

 

Don’t take your teeth for granted

Most people know to take care of their teeth. However, are you aware that it can become harder to take care of them as you get older? If you’re simply brushing twice a day or even using mouthwash, then it might be time to make a visit to the dentist. Losing teeth is not only going to affect your smile, but it also affects how you eat and how you speak. Even with things like partial dentures, there will be changes that can take some time to acclimate to.

 

Savor your sense of taste

One of the senses that can begin to deteriorate naturally as we get older is our sense of smell. Very closely connected to this is our sense of taste. However, there’s one habit in particular that is a bigger risk factor than any other currently known. Smoking comes with a wide plethora of potential health problems, including respiratory conditions and throat and lung cancer. However, even if you avoid those, smoking has been linked to a loss of taste, especially if you smoke and drink. In fact, smoking has been linked to the loss of all senses, largely due to how smoking is connected to your blood vessel health.

 

Balance is a sense, too

While we might not frequently count it up there with hearing, sight, smell, and taste, your sense of balance is one that’s worth preserving, too. Balance issues are fairly common, a lot of people will experience vertigo temporarily, only for it to go away, often after a course of the appropriate medication. However, long-term or recurring vertigo is a very real problem, that is often associated with ear health, and for good reason. Your ear not only perceives sound, but it also governs your sense of balance. Any problems affecting your ear, be it an infection, fluid buildup, or even earwax, can affect your balance, too. However, there are other risk factors that can affect your sense of balance, such as migraines, cholesterol levels, and vitamin D deficiencies. If you begin to feel symptoms of vertigo, then you should talk to your doctor as they can get to the bottom of which risk factors might be to blame.

 

You might not be able to regain your keen eyesight or to hear as well as you did when you were a teenager, but you can make sure that you’re not endangering your senses anymore with the tips above.

Rain Drops on Roses Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Rain Drops on Roses

Giveaway Hop

Enter to win this Spring Book Giveaway

prize consists of all 6 books listed above, ARV $76, US only!

Did you know that a giraffe’s eye is as big as a Ping-Pong ball? Or that about 19 million hot dogs are sold at major league baseball games every year? Or that there is only one bone in your body that’s not connected to another one?  This book is chock-full of fascinating facts, silly stats, and catchy little knowledge nuggets in all kinds of awesome categories, from amphibians to black holes to the gold rush.
Special features include Extreme Weirdness, Strange Places, What’s the Difference, and more. Bold, colorful photographs in a supersize format and spectacular information create a winning combination for curious kids who can’t wait to learn more about the world.
Little Kids First Board Book: Becoming a Butterfly (Board Book, $7.99) Follow one of nature’s most fascinating creatures from egg to caterpillar to butterfly in this vibrantly illustrated board book that introduces babies and toddlers to these incredible insects.
Bursting with vivid photos and featuring super-simple facts, this charming board book explores how a butterfly becomes a butterfly.  Little readers will be dazzled by the variety of colorful butterflies they meet as they learn how these beloved insects develop from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to an adult ready to spread its wings and fly.
Little Kids First Big Book of Sports (Hardcover, $14.99, ages 4-8, 128 pgs)
Climb, dive, skare and race into the wide world of sports! This lively reference book, co-branded with ESPN, introduces young readers to a variety of sports from across the globe and explores how they are played.
Whether a sport needs a ball or a stick, a pool or a field, a racquet or a ski pole, young readers can explore each sport’s history and the rules and skills that make that sport unique. From basketball to soccer, lacrosse to cricket, archery to diving, bowling to skateboarding, snowboarding to playground games, this lively reference book covers a variety of team and individual sports. Special sections look at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.Whether you’re interested in team sports, solo sports, or watching from the stands, this book has something for everyone. Let’s play!

Features include:

  • Age-appropriate descriptions of dozens of sports, and the rules and skills that make each sport unique
  • Activities that encourage interactive learning and exercise
  • Simple text for reading aloud or for beginning readers
  • Fun facts on every spread
  • More than 200 incredible photos
  • Parent tips that extend the experience beyond the book
Zeus the Mighty: The Voyage on the Oddest Sea (Hardcover, $12.99, ages 8-12, 192 pgs)
Join Zeus the overconfident hamster, Athena the wise cat, Ares the treat-loving pug, Poseidon the proud pufferfish, Demeter the loyal grasshopper, and Hermes the daring chicken on another laugh-out-loud adventure through Greek mythology.
Plunge into stormy waters with Zeus the hamster and his gaggle of gods as they meet a shape-shifting soothsayer and uncover the mysteries of the deep in the spellbinding fifth book in this hilarious romp through Greek mythology.
After an earthquake rocks the Aegean Sea, Zeus and Demeter set sail in a not-so-seaworthy vessel to find out what really happened. When their ship is capsized by a slithering sea monster, the duo find themselves trapped in a mystifying underwater realm. The other Olympians mount a rescue mission, only to encounter enchanting mermaidlike creatures with hypnotic songs and a tentacled shape-shifter who tells tales of the future. His uncanny abilities make the Olympians question themselves―and each other. Can the god squad stick together, or will the strange currents of this underwater world tear them apart? www.zeusthemighty.com.
5-Minute Baby Animal Stories (Hardcover, $14.99, ages 6-8, 208 pgs)
If baby animals make you go aww, this collection of stories is the book for you!  Curl up with 12 true tales about some of the most adorable baby animals on the planet.  Each story is the ideal length to be read aloud in five minutes, perfect for bedtime, story time, or anytime.
From inspiring tales of baby manatee and baby wombat rescues to irresistible stories of how panda cubs, penguin chicks, and more babies grow up, this nonfiction 5-minute storybook will engage and enchant animal lovers of all ages. Illustrated with colorful photographs, these true stories are perfect for any time you need a little boost of cute!
My Favorite Animals Super Sticker Activity Book (Paperback, $12.99, ages 4-8, 112 pgs)
Chock-full of kids’ favorite animals: dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, birds, cows, sheep, pigs, and many more! With a colorful design and loaded with tons of games and activities–such as mazes, matching, drawing, and counting — kids are sure to love these pages of 2,000 stickers!

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

11 Home Renovation Tasks You Shouldn’t Try To DIY

Home renovation is a great way to enhance your living space and add value to your property. However, not all renovation tasks are created equal, and some are better left to the professionals. Attempting to do certain tasks on your own can result in costly mistakes, injury, and even property damage. In this article, we will discuss some of the home renovation tasks you shouldn’t try to DIY.

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Structural Changes

Structural changes such as removing load-bearing walls or modifying the foundation of your home can have serious consequences if not done correctly. These types of renovations require an expert’s knowledge to ensure your home’s structural integrity is not compromised. Structural engineers and contractors have the skills and experience necessary to safely perform these types of renovations.

Electrical Work

Electrical work can be dangerous and should only be performed by a licensed electrician. Even seemingly simple tasks such as changing an electrical outlet can result in serious injury or fire if done improperly. Professional electricians have the necessary training and experience to ensure that all electrical work is done safely and up to code.

Plumbing

Plumbing is another area where attempting to DIY can lead to serious problems. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a full bathroom remodel, plumbing work requires specialized knowledge and experience. A professional plumber can ensure that all pipes and fixtures are installed correctly, preventing leaks and other issues.

Roofing

Roofing is a task that requires both skill and safety precautions. Climbing onto your roof without proper training and equipment can be dangerous and result in injury, and this is a task that is going to be best left to trained and skilled roofing services. Additionally, if your roof is not installed correctly, it can lead to water damage, leaks, and even structural damage. Professional roofers have the knowledge and experience to safely and effectively install a new roof or repair an existing one.

HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential for maintaining a comfortable living environment. However, attempting to install or repair HVAC systems without proper training can be dangerous and result in costly mistakes. HVAC technicians have the knowledge and experience to ensure that your system is installed or repaired correctly, maximizing its efficiency and lifespan.

Asbestos Removal

Asbestos was commonly used in building materials until the 1970s when it was found to be a carcinogen. If your home was built before 1980, it may contain asbestos, which can be dangerous if disturbed. Attempting to remove asbestos without proper training and equipment can release asbestos fibers into the air, which can lead to serious health problems. Asbestos removal should only be done by licensed professionals with the necessary training and equipment.

Mold Remediation

Mold can be a serious health hazard, and attempting to remove it on your own can be dangerous. Successful mold remediation requires specialized knowledge and equipment to ensure that all mold is removed and the area is properly sanitized. Professional mold remediation companies have the experience and equipment necessary to ensure that your home is free of mold.

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Tiling

Tiling can be a challenging task that requires precision and attention to detail. A poorly installed tile can result in a costly and unsightly repair. Professional tilers have the necessary skills and experience to ensure that your tile is installed correctly, ensuring a beautiful and durable finished product.

Window Installation

Replacing windows can be a complicated and time-consuming task that requires precise measurements and a variety of tools. A poorly installed window can lead to drafts, leaks, and other issues that can affect your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. Professional window installers have the necessary training and experience to ensure that your windows are installed correctly and sealed properly.

Painting

While painting may seem like an easy DIY task, it can quickly become a time-consuming and messy project. A poorly painted wall can be unsightly and difficult to fix. Professional painters have the necessary skills and equipment to ensure that your paint job is even and consistent, with clean lines and no drips or smudges.

Flooring Installation

Installing new flooring, whether it’s hardwood, tile, or carpet, can be a complex task that requires specialized tools and knowledge. A poorly installed floor can result in a tripping hazard, uneven surfaces, or other issues that can affect your home’s safety and aesthetics. Professional flooring installers have the experience and equipment necessary to install your new floor quickly and correctly, ensuring a beautiful and durable finished product.

The Bottom Line

Home renovation projects can be exciting and rewarding, but it’s essential to know your limits and when to call in the professionals. Attempting to DIY certain tasks can lead to costly mistakes, injury, and even property damage. For complex and specialized tasks it’s always best to hire licensed professionals with the necessary skills and experience. By doing so, you’ll not only ensure that your renovation project is completed correctly but also enhance your home’s safety, comfort, and value.

 

Getting Healthy the Natural and Organic Way

If you’re looking for a means to stay healthy without breaking the bank, you’ll be relieved to learn that options exist beyond the latest celebrity diet. Increasing numbers of people are making the switch to organic products and practices as news of human and animal abuse spreads. As a culture, we have come to understand that harmful substances are detrimental to our health. Consuming organic foods, such as sautéed green beans, is an excellent way to both enhance your health and contribute to the eradication of animal cruelty. Several suggestions for going completely organic are provided below.

 

To qualify as organic, a product must be produced without using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial substances. This necessitates that items like fruit and vegetables have no additives meant to promote rapid growth or enhance quality. By cultivating your own fruit and vegetable garden, you can ensure that nothing nasty has been put into the food you eat. Growing your own food is a wonderful strategy for introducing and maintaining your children’s enthusiasm for organic diets. A greenhouse is an expensive addition to any garden, but it will more than pay for itself in the long run if you grow specific fruits and vegetables.

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The use of organic beef is also essential. Therefore, it wasn’t confined to a cage but rather free to roam the area. It’s common practice to breed captive animals specifically for the purpose of killing and selling them as a commodity. Due to the animals’ exposure to natural forage and sunshine, the meat from organically grown cattle frequently tastes better as well. Keeping chickens is a fun and rewarding hobby if you have the room and time for it. One other approach for you to go organic is to raise chickens in your backyard by allowing them free range and feeding them just organic, freshly grown seeds. So long as you’re able to kill and pluck one in a humane manner.

 

Furthermore, read the labels to make sure that any items you buy are truly organic and not just labeled as such. Among the things you should keep a watch out for are beverages. Slim tea is fantastic for your health and comes from ethical suppliers, so you can feel good about adding it to your daily routine. You may protect your skin as well as lungs from harmful chemicals by using only organic cleaning solutions, which are available at any supermarket. Most organic items also have a more pleasant aroma.

 

Even if there is a possibility that purchasing organic food could wind up costing more money, consider whether the health of you and your family is more important than saving a few dollars here and there. If you are going to make the choice to eat organic food, why not also make the choice to reduce your environmental impact and help preserve our beautiful planet?

 

Everyone ought to work toward the common goal of making the planet a more pleasant place to live.

 

Three Things You Want To Do When Attempting To Improve Your Home

When it comes to improving your home, it’s important that you are taking the time to get this right. You don’t just want to make decisions on the fly and then regret them in a couple of months or weeks when you don’t like them anymore. No, you need to plan carefully, and that involves a number of different elements that we’re going to be talking about in this article. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more about this.

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Work Out Your Budget

 

First, you want to take the time to work out your budget. There is no point getting started on anything else if you don’t know how much you have available to spend on this home renovation. Ideally, you should set yourself a number that works for you, that doesn’t completely deplete your savings but that also gives you enough money to complete a decent renovation. Take into account the cost of materials like cultured marble or whatever else you want to use, the cost of contractors and whatever else you are going to need to pay for at this time.

 

You should also set yourself a secondary budget, which is a little bit higher than the first one. This is the amount that you could spend if needed, but you would prefer to stick with the lower number.

 

Come Up With A Plan

 

The next thing that you should do is actually start coming up with the plan itself. Work out what changes you want to make, look into how long things are going to take, what order you want the work done in and so on. Coming up with a plan will help to give you a direction for the entire renovation process, which is better than just trying to wing your way through. 

 

You have every right to change your mind at any given time through the process, but they are likely to be small amendments to the plan you made rather than massive, overhaul changes.

 

Listen To What Others Want Too

 

The last thing that we’re going to say is that you should be listening to what the other people in your house want as well. You should ask everyone their opinions and allow them to contribute to the plan so that they all feel as though they have been involved here. Don’t forget that you are not the only one that lives in the property, so you should not be the only one who gets to make decisions about it, especially if the changes will impact their spaces.

 

Hopefully now you have some ideas as to what you should be doing when attempting to improve your home. These three things are super important and will play a massive part in the home renovation itself, so make sure that you’re not skipping out any of these steps. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you manage to turn your home into something that you love asap.

6 Ways To Help you Deal With Joint Pain

 

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Are you experiencing increased aches and pains? Over time our bodies become susceptible to increased wear and tear, and for many people, this can lead to increased pain or stiffness in joint pain.

 

But once this has started, can you reverse this significant sign of aging, and what does it mean for you? Ideally, you will be putting preventative measures in place to stave off joint damage for as long as possible; however, depending on the cause of joint pain, there is something you can do to help minimize the effect it has on your life.

 

Talk to your doctor.

In the first instance, talk to your doctor about any joint pain you might be experiencing. They can determine its cause and help you get any medical treatment you might need for conditions such as arthritis. From here, you can then assess your needs going forward.

 

OTC medications

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are common over-the-counter medications many people rely on short term to help them deal with pain. They can help reduce joint pain and any swelling associated with this. However, if the pain continues or worsens, you should seek treatment from your primary care physician for more answers.

 

Correct posture

When was the last time you checked your posture? How often are you standing up tall or paying attention to how you hold your body? Incorrect form when performing daily tasks such as sitting and standing can cause increased pressure on joints and increase the risk of wear and tear. So focus on how you move and try to keep the correct posture at all times.

 

Correct diet

Your diet can often be the backbone to helping you remedy many issues in your life. Your body gains the nutrients and supports it needs from the foods you eat and what you drink. Staying hydrated and eating a healthy balanced diet can give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs to support itself and keep your joints in good condition.

 

Chiropractor

Chiropractors are professionals focused on spinal manipulation to help you ease joint and muscle pain and realign your body for optimal wellness. Spinal adjustments can help your body in many ways; one is increased blood flow post-adjustment, which can help you alleviate pain naturally while allowing your body to function normally. Always work with a qualified Chiropractor who specializes in the issues you are dealing with for the best possible results.

 

Stay active

Depending on the pain levels you are experiencing, the last thing you may want to do when living with joint pain is to stay active. While no one will be expecting you to partake in vigorous activity, going for short walks, swimming, or yoga can all be beneficial in keeping your body moving and preventing your joints from seizing up altogether from not being moved as frequently as they should be. However, by not using the joints that are hurting, you are putting your body under more pressure and strain, which can worsen the issue.

 

Conclusion

Joint pain is something many people experience as they get older; however, just because you have joint pain, it doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. Far from it, you can put an effective treatment plan in place to support your needs and help you overcome joint pain in a way that works for you.