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Imagine you are six years old. You have been told you need to stay at home and don’t understand why. Now imagine it’s about to be your seventh birthday.

The pressure on our children during the pandemic is more significant than we may realize and birthdays are incredibly hard. Particularly if you are a family that usually celebrates with big parties, with a hell lot of guests, all kinds of stuff for kids entertainment Melbourne, or elsewhere and a houseful of other children. To them, certainly, birthdays are the most magical day of the year.

However, it is still possible to give your kid a day to remember, even during these situations. Think back to their last few birthdays. It doesn’t matter if you were at laser tag or having a picnic in Central Park. What were the moments your child talked about the most? Often we look at the bigger things first, but for children, it is ordinarily the magical moments that we have missed.

Holding a party in lockdown needs to tick some severe kid boxes. You need to start with invitations because all parties begin there! Sit down with your son or daughter a few days before their birthday and write up some invitations as you would usually do. You may only have four people in your family but make sure they all get an invite. You could even write an invitation for the cat or the dog. Perhaps even some of their special toys might like to attend. Make sure everyone remembers to RSVP.

Location of the party is essential. It doesn’t have to be indoors. You could hold a party in the garden. Of course, every great party ends with a sleepover. Why don’t you plan a camping trip in the garden, or even better, you could make an indoor camping trip. Using sheets and fairy lights, why not turn your living room into a super den and the whole family could sleep on the floor for one night!

Your party should have a theme, and it’s crucial everyone dresses up. Children love being able to choose their own outfits. As it is their party, why not let them choose what everyone wears. You could let your daughter do your makeup, or your son could insist you all come in dinosaur outfits.

Get decorating. This is something else that could start happening a few days before to really build excitement. Everyone should get involved. If you want to save money, you can get crafty and make all the decorations yourself. If you want to create a massive event, you can still buy most decoration items online.

Don’t forget that a party isn’t a party without music and party bags. You should also take care of the party food. Look for meals in fields catering County Durham or one near your event to make it a success. No guest should go hungry after all.

All in all, ensure that the event is fun. Take it in turns to be a DJ or have a sing-along Disney session – you can find karaoke on Youtube. Baking a cake is something special you can do together. You could arrange for all your children’s friends to be on a video conference call to sing happy birthday!

With a little bit of planning and thought, you can give your child a party they will remember forever.

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With everything that’s going on, it’s easy to forget that summer is on the way. Usually, the soaring temperatures are cause for celebration. There’s no better season than summertime, spending it in the great outdoors with family, friends, and loved ones.

Of course, the social element is going to be a little different for the foreseeable future. What won’t change is the heat. Yes, it will be hot, and you’ve got nowhere to go to get away from the stickiness and humidity.

There’s only one thing to do – tweak your home to stop it from blowing its top. Carry on reading to find out more.

Don’t Be Blind

Lots of homeowners are blind to the impact that opening the curtains has on the home. This regular daily habit may let the sunshine in, but it allows the UV rays in, too, and they bring the heat. Of course, you don’t want to spend the rest of your day holed up the house with the curtains closed because the idea is depressing. Therefore, you need to strike a balance between cool and light, and installing blinds is the perfect solution.

The material is thin enough to let in the sun and thick enough to block and absorb its rays.

Who You Gonna Call?

It’s tempting to break out the toolbox and perform a spot of DIY when something is broken. But, you should refrain the urge to put your handy skills to good use and call an expert. The reason is simple – appliances are complicated. Appliance repair is a tricky business, but it will reduce the temperature of your home by a significant margin. This is because fridges, washing machines, and tumble dryers all release excess heat when something is wrong. /span>

They are no longer eco-friendly until you put them back together again, yet that’s a job for a professional (such as those at MAAR24 appliance repair) and not a DIYer.

Easy Breezy

Nighttime is the worst part of the day during the summer. The humidity makes it almost impossible to sleep, and you spend nine hours tossing and turning as you try to cool down. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do unless you have an air conditioning unit or a fan as opening a window will let more humidity into your bedroom. So, it’s time to get creative with your bedsheets.

To create a breeze, you should take your cotton bedding (it’s the coolest fabric) and put it in the freezer for a few minutes before bed. The chill will instantly lower your body temp.

Extraction Necessary

Heat rises, which means your bedroom is going to be the hottest part of the house. While sleeping on the floor or downstairs is cooler, it’s not a long-term solution. Your bed is comfy and you want a good night’s sleep after a long day enjoying the weather. To get one, you can install an extractor fan in the ceiling similar to the one in the bathroom. Rather than removing the moisture, the extractor is an outlet for the hot air so that it has a place to go once it reaches your room.

How do you stay cool during the summer?

Being inside and in close quarters with our children during these unprecedented times can cause a lot of strive and arguments.

We always strive to use positive reinforcement when we can to help guide our children’s behavior in the right direction.

We have now started using the Goodtimer and the results are amazing!

The Goodtimer was created to help kids ages 4 to 10 with behavior management. The timer works like this. Simply place it face up with the tokens (included) into the Goodtimer. Each half hour that passes a new section of the Goodtimer will light up green. After 8 hours (or change the setting to 10 hours for older children) the Goodtimer will be fully lit up green. At this point the child can touch the main button on the Goodtimer. It will announce that the cycle is fulfilled and they are then rewarded with taking a token out of the timer.

The token rewards are set by the parents. Sometimes a token can give a kid some screen time. Maybe a small toy or a monetary reward. The decision is fully up to the parents and how they choose to reward the good behavior.

Goodtimer has a long battery life–lasting up to five days between charges, making it ideal to use in the car and on vacations. Each Goodtimer includes the Goodtimer device, the Goodtimer children’s book, a decorative sticker sheet, a charging cable, 32 reusable tokens, a plush token pouch, customer support, and exclusive access to positive parenting resources.

When you open the package be sure to sit down as a family and read the book together. This sets the stage for the Goodtimers uses and the end goals can me worked out.

When behavior needs to be corrected and the child is not using the behavior desired you simply flip the Goodtimer upside down. The green light turns off and the clock freezes. When the behavior has been changed and the kid is doing well you flip the Goodtimer the right way up and the clock continues to accumulate the time.

The Goodtimer is such a fun and easy to use tool. It creates a great buzz of excitement when the kid receives a token, and even more excitement when the token is cashed in.  I highly recommend using a Goodtimer, I believe you will love the results as much as we do.

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She’s spectacular. Mom is thoughtful and sweet, as well as charming. She is also extremely giving and likely tells you that she doesn’t need anything for her birthday, Christmas, or another special occasion. As much as you want to give her personalised keyrings, handmade cards, etc. she always tells you not to worry. But you want to treat her, and rightly so. If you’re stuck for ideas, these six gifts are special ones to consider giving her this year.

1. Flowercards/ Flower boxes

These are beautiful, thoughtful gifts that anyone can present to their mother. You can make it yourself, or order a personalized one from Flowercard’s range of birthday flowers. Get them early in the morning and make her special day even more special with these lovely flowers. If it is a day of her retirement, she will be so happy to receive the flowers with congratulations on your retirement message.

2. Foot Massager

She deserves pampering, and an electric foot massager is a great choice when you’re not able to visit her to do it with your own two hands. A massage machine is easy to use, and does a terrific job of helping her tired feet feel better. She can easily use it while watching TV, adjusting between low, medium, and high settings depending on how she’s feeling that day. If you’re not a fan of massagers, you could get a live one – hop over to this web-site

3. Unique Pottery

A handcrafted coffee mug or tumbler is a great way for her to use as she has a morning cup of java. That a.m. time is when she has quiet time, and she is sure to think of you as she uses the cup you chose for her. Handmade Ceramic Mugs are great reminders of how art and function can pair beautifully together.

4. Signature Necklace

Create a necklace for her and another one for yourself. You could either personalise it with your names or a photo that you most cherish with her. Then you’ll always have matching designs around your necks, which makes you think of the bond you have as a family. The custom necklace gift set could be a sentimental gift that she is sure to adore. Alternatively, you can also create a heart pendant that has a memorable quote on it.

5. Oversized Tote

Mom does it all, from babysitting the grandchildren to grocery shopping. She is here, there, and everywhere. Sometimes you wonder how she stays organized! Help her fit everything she needs for the day into one bag by gifting her an oversized tote. Look for one with plenty of pockets to hold her keys, lipstick, and other must-haves.

6. Magazine Subscription

She loves to read, but she never treats herself to anything. So now you can do it for her. Each month she will receive a new magazine when you sign her up for a subscription. There are many choices, from cooking mags to beauty and news ones. Imagine her relaxing in a chair and taking time for herself.

7. Unique Wigs

To spice up her hair style consider getting her a u part bob wig. There are so many styles, colors and lengths available.

8. Christian Gifts For Women

The best faith-based gifts for women are not only useful and beautiful but also strengthen their connection to God. Whether shopping around Christmas time, a birthday celebration, or an anniversary gift-giving occasion; when selecting presents from a Christian perspective keep in mind that it will show how much you care about what matters most: the relationship with God!

Finding a Gift for Mom

She’s one special lady, so her gift needs to be a special one too. Create a memorable day, whether it’s Mother’s Day, her birthday or another day of celebration.

The ideas above are ones for a woman who says she has everything. Show her how much you care with a thoughtful gift that she will treasure for a long time to come.

If you’ve noticed your baby seems stiff or floppy when you hold them, they aren’t able to hold their head up, or they are missing other developmental milestones, you may be concerned about cerebral palsy. You also may be wondering if there was anything you could have done to prevent your baby’s issues. 

The truth is, in many cases of babies who get cerebral palsy (CP), the cause is unknown. There are also known causes of CP, some of which were preventable and some unavoidable. According to Kentucky Cerebral Palsy Lawyer, some of the causes of CP include:

• Genetics
• Issues during pregnancy
• Complications during labor and delivery
• Problems immediately after birth
• Medical malpractice

The first four causes are situational and unpreventable. However, medical malpractice can be combated by taking legal action. Firms such as Dennis Hernandez, specialize in this area. The firm will determine if there is reasonable cause to take legal action against your doctor.

Any time a baby’s delicate brain is damaged, the result can be cerebral palsy. Keep reading to learn more about how often babies are diagnosed with CP and how the brain injuries that cause it happens.

U.S. Cerebral Palsy Statistics

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of disability in children. According to the State of Texas’s official adoption and foster care website, approximately 8,000 babies are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the United States each year. That’s around three out of every 1,000 live births. 

Often, these cases are not diagnosed during infancy. In babies with severe impairments from cerebral palsy, it may be obvious right away that something is not right. When this happens, doctors will evaluate the infant’s condition either while you are still in the hospital or in early infancy. 

However, in more mild cases of impairment, the condition may not be diagnosed until the child is older. Some cases may be caught during the toddler years, while other children won’t receive a diagnosis until they are eight years old. Boys are slightly more likely to develop CP than girl children. 

How Infant Brain Damage Happens

Understanding the causes of brain damage in babies can help you understand what caused your baby’s condition if they are in fact diagnosed with CP. The following are three reasons babies may have brain damage.

Infections

Infections in the mother during pregnancy can damage a developing fetus’s brain. Cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, chickenpox, and other infections can be dangerous to your baby, so it’s important to stay current on your vaccinations and take any necessary precautions.

Certain infections in a newborn can also cause permanent brain damage. These include Group B strep, E. coli., and herpes simplex virus.

Malformations

If your newborn is gagging or smacking their lips, it could be a sign of a brain malformation. Some other signs of a malformation include a low APGAR score, failure to thrive, and seizures. A baby’s brain may:

• Fail to completely develop
• Develop abnormally
• Fail to grow normally
• Fail to divide normally

When a baby’s brain doesn’t divide into two hemispheres, the condition is known as cerebral dysgenesis. This can happen at any point during your pregnancy, though it is most likely to happen before you hit the 20-week mark.

Injuries

Brain injuries that happen during or shortly after birth can also damage a newborn’s brain, leading to cerebral palsy. It’s normal for babies to experience some trauma as they are being squeezed through the birth canal. However, for a small percentage of newborns, the trauma will go beyond the norm, depriving them of oxygen. 

Having a compressed cord or being stuck in the birth canal can cut off a baby’s oxygen supply. When this happens, the result can be brain damage. Brain injuries can also happen because a doctor failed to properly diagnose a condition that could lead to this occurring, such as the baby’s head being too large for the mother’s pelvis or mismanaged labor.

If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, it’s best to consult with a pediatrician. If your baby has already received a CP diagnosis, your doctor will refer you to specialists who may be able to greatly improve their quality of life. 

Additional resources for special needs families: 

• • Cerebral Palsy Family Network – resources for families with special needs
  • Financial Assistance and Support Services for People with Disabilities
  • Bring out the best in special needs students
  • Healthy meals for kids

When your child reaches their teenage years, your relationship with them is likely to change a lot. It’s a very difficult time for a child and they are going through a lot of changes, and it’s very common for parents to argue with their teenage children. It’s normal to clash sometimes and you don’t need to worry too much about it. However, if you find that you are constantly fighting, you need to do something about it. These are some of the best ways to improve your relationship with your teenager.

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Understand Your Personalities

Understanding both of your personalities is so important if you want to improve your relationship. Many people don’t know this, but there are actually 9 different personality types, and each personality type responds to others in a different way. The Enneagram Personality Test is a helpful tool for building important relationships because it shows you what personality type you are. An Idealist, for example, values honesty and transparency above all else, while a Caregiver thrives on encouragement and praise. A person with a Creative personality needs space for their creativity to flourish, and they need time on their own to recharge their batteries. If you and your teenager take the test and work out what kind of personalities you have, it’s a lot easier to know how you should communicate with one another.

Accept That They Are Growing Up

Often, parents are unwilling to accept that their child is turning into an adult, and they push back against the natural changes that are happening in their lives. Driving lessons Chester-le-street are probably high on their list of priorities if they’re looking for more freedom, whilst first dates are a prime example of how teens are no longer kids. Many parents try to restrict their teenagers and prevent them from forming romantic relationships, but whilst it’s important that you make sure that they are safe, trying to stop them from engaging in relationships will only make them feel like they are being treated as a child and it will lead to conflict. What you should be doing instead is giving them advice about these kinds of things and helping them to navigate changes safely. It’s also important that you allow them their independence and let them make decisions for themselves. You can always give them advice, but you cannot control their decisions.

Find Ways To Spend Time Together

Teenagers don’t really like spending time with their parents as much as they used to, but it’s important that you maintain that family bond. Don’t try to force them into doing the same family activities that you did when they were younger because they won’t respond to that. Instead, you should encourage their hobbies and take an active interest in them. Let them decide how they want to spend time with you so you can still maintain that important family time, while also allowing them to grow and find their own interests.

Your relationship with your teenager is always going to be tough, and the important thing is that you are there to support them. If you follow these tips, you should be able to improve your relationship and avoid any big arguments.

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Our homes are our pride and joy. This isn’t all too surprising. They’re the biggest financial investment that the majority of us will make in our lives. They’re the places where we raise our families. It’s where we entertain our friends. It’s where our most beloved personal belongings tend to be kept. It’s where we live. It’s where we love. It’s where we laugh. It’s where we live our lives. So, you’re going to want it to be presentable as possible. You also want it to be clean and comfortable. Now, this, of course, is easier said than done if you have a hectic schedule filled with the school run, work, chores, gym and more. Here are a few simple things you can do to help keep your home up to scratch when you have a particularly busy schedule.

Don’t Procrastinate

First things first, don’t procrastinate. So many of us put off doing things that we don’t really want to do. We’ll ignore the dishes. We’ll promise ourselves we’ll put the lights wash on tomorrow. We’ll think we’ll run the vacuum around another day. When we adopt this attitude, we find that tasks build up and build up. Before you know it, you have a gargantuan task of multiple chores that have been building up over days or even weeks. Instead, stop procrastinating. It’s easier said than done, but simply grin and bear it and push yourself to do whatever it is you need to do to keep your home in ship shape as and when it needs to be done.

Call In Help

Of course, some of us simply do not have the time to completely deep clean our houses as we should. This is where you can benefit from calling in professional help. A maid service will see professional cleaners visit your home and get the necessary chores done to a high standard. This may seem like a luxury, but if it means freeing up time so you can actually enjoy your life and benefit from all of your hard work, why not consider it an investment?

Get Your Kids Into Good Habits

Often, you’ll find that the mess you’re constantly clearing up isn’t your own – it’s your kids. This is why it’s important to get your kids into the habit of clearing up what they can after themselves. At the end of playtime, get them to put their toys away. If they spill something, get them to try cleaning it themselves once they reach the right age. This isn’t just good for you – it’s better for them too. They’ll grow into much better rounded adults. You can find tips on how to encourage your kids to carry out age appropriate chores here.

These steps are simple, but they can make all the difference when it comes to keeping on top of your home. Hopefully they help to keep yours in ship shape!

Learning to ride a bike is a significant milestone for every child. It is more than just a fun activity for your kid, as it provides a fulfilling sense of accomplishment once the child gets to ride a two-wheeler on their own.

Some children will learn to ride in an hour. Others will need several sessions to loosen up and master all of the skills needed to ride the bike. You shouldn’t let it worry you, as it’s perfectly fine either way.

Encourage your little one and give them the boost they need to gain the confidence they might be lacking at the moment. Reinforce their accomplishment, no matter how small it might be.

Also, take care to be patient at all times. Listen to your child carefully, and try to understand their needs and what works for them.

As long as your child is showing interest and feels comfortable giving it a whirl, here is how you can approach teaching this important life skill.

The Right Timing

This is the tricky part – the age when your child is ready to learn to ride a bike will depend on their physical and mental development, as well as their coordination. One of the most important things to take into consideration is the child’s interest.

If you feel your kid can cycle, but they still don’t want to give it a go, wait until they are emotionally ready.

Many kids can learn how to bike when they are as young as four years old – they usually have the required strength, dexterity, balance, and can understand the basic commands. However, some kids are not physically and emotionally prepared to cycle until they are six or even older.

Pushing your child into this activity may lead to anxiety, resentfulness, or other undesired outcomes, such as a higher percentage of injuries.

Balance bikes can be of great help if your child isn’t strong enough to pedal since they will allow them to get a sense of balancing and coasting.

Find a Bike That Fits Your Child

Buying a bike that perfectly suits your child could be pretty confusing. Therefore, make sure you keep the following tips in mind while shopping for kids bikes. For starters, see if your kid can stand over the top tube with both feet flat on the ground while their legs are straight, then the bike fits properly. Also, check the distance from the bike seat to the handlebars. The child shouldn’t have to lean too far forward to reach the handles.

Many parents resort to getting a larger bike for their child to grow into it, but it is not advisable. A larger bike is more difficult to handle and control, so getting a bike that fits is critical when teaching a child to cycle.

Also, when the bike is smaller and suits your little one perfectly, it is much easier for them to step down when necessary. This will provide a sense of security to the kids that are afraid of falling.

Take Care of the Safety Issues

Teaching your child safety is one of the essential things during bike riding lessons. Make sure your child wears a proper bike helmet each time they cycle. Wearing one yourself is also recommended since you will set an example.

Teach your kid about traffic awareness, and get bright colored and reflective clothing for them to wear when cycling. You may consider getting knee pads, elbow, and shin guards for extra protection.

Cycling comes with so many health, social, and environmental benefits that it would be highly unfortunate not to give your child the tools to enjoy this awesome activity.

Choosing a Place to Teach Your Child to Cycle

Sidewalks and streets are not the ideal training grounds due to potential dangers and many distractions. A traffic-free area like an empty parking lot or a basketball court is perfect.

Ideally, the practicing place should be large enough, flat, and smooth.

Grassy areas may seem tempting as they will cushion the falls, but they are tougher terrains for smaller children to keep moving.

Essential Steps When Teaching Your Child to Cycle

Start with practicing getting on and off a bike. This step may not be required for the kids that are already pretty handy around a bike, but some children will need to practice it to get comfortable.

If your kid is a bit reluctant and concerned, encourage them to repeat it several times.

The next step to ease your child into cycling is for them to learn to scoot and glide. The child should walk back and forth, holding the handlebars while sitting on a bike. Kids tend to look at their feet, or the front wheel while doing this, so instruct them to look ahead.

Now we are getting to the real deal: when your kid is comfortable with scooting the bike, show them how to glide with your legs outstretched to keep the balance. Then ask your little one to try to pick up their feet and glide too.

Moving on to Pedaling, Steering, and Turning

Once you feel your child is comfortable with scooting and gliding on the bike, you can move on to pedaling. Show your little one the correct “ready position” for starting. One pedal should be slightly above and forward compared to the other.

When it comes to steering and turning, start with gentle turns with the handlebars and slight balance corrections, before and during the motion.

To make things more enjoyable and fun, you can turn practice into games.

For instance, you can make things more interesting if you sit on your bike and ask your kid to follow you while making some big turns from time to time.

When your child has mastered pedaling a bike, you can make things more challenging and ask them to do large, wide circles.

Practice Slowing Down and Stopping

An important lesson for every child when starting with cycling is to get the feel of the brakes. They may need a while to understand how much pressure they should apply for the brakes to work.

Practice with your kid how to use the pedal or hand brakes before and while in motion.

Pay Attention to Your Child’s Needs

If you notice your child isn’t confident enough when riding solo even if they have mastered cycling, stay by their side. If they seem like they’re losing interest in further training, then end the session for the day and continue the next day.

You may occasionally be tempted to push things a bit further, so prepare to restrain yourself from forcing the process since every child is unique, and they learn at a different pace.

I’m Rebecca, a translator and avid traveler, a book worm and horror flick enthusiast. My job has given me the amazing opportunity to travel to dozens of countries around the world, and writing on Rough Draft gives me a chance to try to showcase some of them.

There are few things more exciting than welcoming a new puppy into your home. When your family gains a fur-baby, there are a lot of things to keep in mind-particularly if you have small kids at home. Training your puppy properly is so important, but it’s also imperative to teach kids how to treat their new family member as well. Check out these 7 training tips and how to keep your kids safe with their new puppy.

1. Choose your pup’s name and stick to it.

Choose a name right away, so that you can immediately start using it when calling your new puppy. The younger they are when they begin hearing and recognizing their name, the quicker it will be to train them properly. It’s all about repetition and consistency when it comes to training!

2. Stay calm and assertive while training.

While training, your energy is a very important aspect. Remain calm, yet firm when teaching your puppy new things. Even when you realize that your dog eats poop and you have to search up “my dog eat cat poop” on Google, stay calm and train assertively.

3. Set up a private den in a quiet room.

Create a safe and quiet space for your puppy-this can be in a separate room or simply just a crate. This is particularly helpful if you already have other pets in your home. Short periods of time left alone can be incredibly beneficial for new puppies. Be sure to reward your pup if they remain quiet and relaxed.

4. Make good behavior a big deal.

Positive reinforcement is so important when it comes to training new puppies. When it comes to energy level, Beagle dog or similar breeds would require proper training to help them understand how they are supposed to behave. Have plenty of treats and toys ready and shower your puppy with praise when they get things right.

5. Turn your back to jumping up.

When puppies get excited, they love nothing more than jumping up on whoever they’re saying hello to. Instead of reprimanding, simply ignore this behavior by turning the other way. When you fail to get them attention when they’re trying to get attention, the behavior will eventually subside. Be sure not to pat or praise your pup while they’re in a jumping position.

6. Discourage your pup from biting or nipping.

A great trick for dealing with biting or nipping is to pretend you’re in immense amounts of pain. You can also slide in a chew toy to replace your hand or pant leg.

7. Always end on a positive note.

Whenever you’re training your pup, it’s a great idea to end on a positive note. Lots of praise, love, playing, and a treat will get your new puppy excited and ready to go for their next training session.

How to Be Sure Your Kids are Being Safe

First and foremost, it’s crucial to teach your kids how to treat their new puppy. They won’t innately know what acceptable behavior is, so it’s important to explain it to them. Pulling on your pup’s tail or hair or jumping on the dog and riding it are not only harmful to your new puppy, but it could also cause your pet to lash out. Teaching children how to respect and be kind to animals will go a long way.

Giving your new puppy plenty of exercise is a great way to keep hyperactivity at bay. This means they’re likely to engage in less rough housing with your kids. Keeping your new puppy on a leash, especially if you’re outdoors, is a good way to keep control of any situation. Dog bites are one of the most commonly seen causes of personal injury cases. Be sure to take all necessary precautions with your new pup in order to help keep them and others safe.

The new norm? Sitting at the kitchen table, trying to do my “job” while homeschooling my two daughters. Oh, you have a literature zoom at 2:30? My mind runs through today’s to do list… which report can I finish in that 30-minute window. Your worksheet is taking a while? Maybe I can draft a media release now so I won’t be up as late tonight. Kids can work on kindergarten worksheets to improve their skills at a very young age.

Every minute is painstakingly filled to maximize productivity and it’s somehow become our normal. What’s more? Even though much of our time together is spent homeschooling, I want it to be fun; something they look back on fondly, which means I have to preserve my sanity in these beautiful daily tasks.

And when the time comes to switching over to focusing on work, I have a find a way to do so without mom guilt because I need to provide for my family. What I’m discovering is that there are a lot of fun, free resources out there that engage and educate my kiddos, when I need to switch over to work.

Our new favorite activity is Gettysburg: A Nation Divided, a free mixed reality app that recreates this historic battle in our kitchen, backyard and weirdly enough… the bathroom. Basically, wherever your mobile device can go, the battle can go. The experience is immersive, not something the girls watch, rather something that unfolds around them with 360-degree views of the battlefield. Their favorite part is the artifact scavenger hunt which allows them a chance to earn Civil War era coins and a deeper understanding in the process. They move our phone around to put Lincoln’s hat on one another’s heads and laugh hysterically when they fit the cannon next to the toilet. It really doesn’t get more immersive than that.

I was surprised to find images of Robert E. Lee riding his horse next to our car and apparently General Picket was in the kitchen with me while I was cooking dinner. Ultimately, my kids were having fun and learning while I was working, cooking and even just sitting.

Thank goodness for technology which is allowing many of us to work from home and our children to learn at home. In an effort to make this app available to as many people as possible, developers QuantumERA have waived their initially planned download fee of $12.99 so that more children will be able to learn from home using mixed reality.

Note: The BETA version of Gettysburg: A Nation Divided optimized for Apple iPads, is available in the app store. Mobile optimization for other Android devices will be coming soon. Free downloads are available for a limited time. The app has been carefully designed for children ages nine and up.