Top Ten Tips for Vacationing with a Preteen

The awkward teenage years seem to start much earlier than they used to. Ten years ago, preteen and tween weren’t words we were overly familiar with. We were teenagers at 13. Everything changed at 13. Now, kids as young as 9 and 10 are entering the preteen years, and starting to act like teenagers. They start wanting to do grown up things, refusing to play with toys, being moody and acting out. This has its advantages for us as parents; growing up sooner often means we can give them more responsibility and do things we enjoy with them. However, it can make vacationing tough. Here are ten tips to help you make the most of your family holidays, while you still get them!

Let Them Help

Let them help with every part of planning your break. Look at destinations together; ask where they want to go and why. If you’re not on the same page, try to find a compromise and let them choose some of the activities you will all do while you are away. As kids get older, they want to be listened to and to feel like their opinions matter. Involving them will help to make sure you start the vacation right.

Give Them Responsibilities

Give your preteen some responsibilities. Let them know that you are there if they need help, but that it is their job and that you trust them to do it well. The responsibilities you choose to give them will depend on their age and level of maturity, but some options include:

·         Packing their own bag

·         Packing snacks for everyone on the journey

·         Packing their hand luggage

·         Planning the route to the hotel

·         Planning a day out while you are away

·         Writing an itinerary for the journey or week

Go Shopping

Whatever their gender, preteens are just starting to develop their own style. This might mean the clothes they wear seem to be changing a lot, but it’s important to give them the freedom to experiment. So, take them shopping for some new holiday clothes and let them pick things out for themselves. Swimwear can be tricky, especially for girls. You might want to send her out in a baby’s swimsuit but she’ll want to try something more grown up. Teen swimwear is a great option for you both.

Plan Activities

Having activities to look forward to will make the idea of going away as a family much more appealing for your preteen. Look online together and plan some interesting days out. You can probably even book some activities online before you go.

Set Them Tasks

Give them fun challenges for while you are away. Things like posting a photo journal online, writing a diary of your days out, collecting objects, scavenger hunts, and wildlife spotting are fun ways to stop your preteen from getting bored.

Take a Friend

If you can cope with two children, offer to take one of your preteen’s friends with you. Children are often exceptionally well behaved around their friends’ parents, which could rub off on your own. At the very least they’ll have someone to talk to and have fun with, and you won’t need to worry about keeping them interested.

Allow Screen Time

It can be tempting to ban devices on your vacation. However, this could just make your children (and partner!) grumpy and annoyed. Let them have a set amount of time every day when they’re allowed to play on their devices or chat with their friends. This way they’ll be happier to put them away for family time.

Give Them Some Space

The preteen years can be a battle. They’re not really old enough to go off on their own completely, but they want to. If possible, let them have their own bedroom, and give them a little bit of space when you are at the resort, but only if it’s something you are comfortable with.

Choose Your Battles

Parenting is often about choosing your battles. Let them get away with some things if it isn’t worth the argument and they might be more inclined to bend for something you want to do later.

Let Them Be Kids

When they are on holiday and meeting new people, you might find they start acting more like children than they do at home. They might want to play in the park with their new friends or mess about in the pool. Don’t make a big deal out of this or they’ll be embarrassed and stop. Just make the most of it.

As your kids enter their teen years, you may find that your family vacations come to an end. Soon, your children will be wanting to go away with their friends, leaving you behind to worry. So, while the preteen years can be difficult and awkward, make the most of them and be sure to have a great vacation.

Kerrie's Forget Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad

Kerrie's Forget Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad

Alright, people, we don't have to argue about what Chick-fil-A and what it is not. We don't have to talk about money to hate groups or pro-family groups or kiss-ins or anything like that. That's all in the past. You don't have to get into that debate AT ALL, friends. Because now you have my chicken salad, which will do just as nicely as Chick-fil-A's. Happy eating!

You will need
3 boneless,skinless chicken breasts
10 eggs, hard boiled
1 cup mayonnaise (maybe more)
Chopped celery if you're into that kind of thing
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup dried, chopped berry assortment you can buy in a bag at the store
Pepper to taste
Garlic sea salt from a grinder

1. Cook chicken how you like. If you have time, go for the CrockPot because the chicken will be tasty tender. Chop it up tiny and toss it into a large bowl.
2. Peel eggs, chop them and toss them into the bowl.
3. Mix in the rest of the ingredients (chop up almonds and berries first).
4. If you like other stuff, toss it in. If you don't, leave it out.
5. Feel free to experiment!
6. Castigate me in the comments section for how poorly written my recipe is :-)

Originally posted 9/7/12

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How to Decrease Your Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease in the number one cause of death across the world, and kills more than 610,000 people in America alone every year. Fortunately, there are ways you can improve your health to decrease the risk of heart disease. Read the following five helpful tips to creating a healthier heart.

Quit Smoking

Many people often refuse to quit smoking cigarettes as they are addicted or enjoy the act too much. However, smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack in comparison to non-smokers. Not only that, but a heart attack is much more likely to result in death. Don’t take any chances with your heart’s health and put the cigarette out for good.

Lower Your Blood Pressure

Did you know that more than 50 million people in the US are living with high blood pressure? As a result, it is the most common cause of heart disease in America. There are many ways you can lower your blood pressure.

For instance, enjoying a healthy diet and regularly exercising can prevent hypertension. Visit carenow to find out how you can naturally lower your blood pressure.

Improve Your Cholesterol

High cholesterol can play havoc with your heart’s health, as you are more likely to develop heart disease if you have a total cholesterol level over 200, or if your triglycerides are over 150. It is vital you take steps to lower your cholesterol levels by enjoying a diet that is low in cholesterol, refined sugars and saturated fat. You should also aim to consume foods that are high in fiber.

A Healthy Diet Plan

A healthy diet plan can create a healthier, happier heart, so you can enjoy many years to come with your friends and family. Aim to eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and plant-based ingredients every day.

Also, consume fish that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can improve heart health, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna. Consume lean meats in moderation, such as chicken or turkey.

Lose Weight

Carrying extra weight is no good for your heart’s health, mood or energy levels. Reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease by shedding excess weight, and discuss with your doctor to identify the healthiest weight for your height. In addition to decreasing the risk of heart disease, it can also prevent other health conditions, such as diabetes or gout.

Reduce Your Stress Levels

Everyone will experience stress or anger from time to time. Yet, if it is a persistent problem, then you must take action to manage your emotions or risk the development of heart disease. Take a deep breath to calm down and lower your blood pressure. If the problem persists, we recommend talking to a doctor or considering an anger management course.

People of all ages and backgrounds can develop heart disease at any stage in their lives. Ensure you live a long and healthy life and start following the above tips from today. 

What Does A Career In Nursing Really Offer?

More and more people are considering jobs in the medical profession right now. There are plenty of reasons for this. Firstly, access to training and education is now easier and perhaps even more budget-friendly than it used to be. Secondly, there will always be a need for trained medics, nurses, and doctors! Regardless of economy crashes, political upheavals and budget cuts, people need medical attention throughout their lives. And those lives are lasting longer thanks to the people that take the time and energy to pursue a career in that field.

So what does a career in nursing really offer? Well, most people think of nurses in hospitals, but this isn’t the only working environment you might choose. There are medical practices, clinics, doctors offices, and work in the community too. Nursing homes, private nurses, and even children’s center nurses can spend their entire career outside of hospital work. Within the walls of a hospital, the working environment can be enormously varied too.

Image sourced from Pexels

What about pay? Nurses tend to have degrees, so pay is in line with what you would accept for that level of education. Perhaps the most attractive feature of the benefits package is the pension. It may vary a lot, especially in private clinics or practices. However, hospital work offers the standard tiered program that you might expect.

How does nursing turn into a career? Nurses are often structured in teams, so you can expect a couple of tiers at least in any group. This means, with experience, you can take on more supervisory, leadership, or managerial roles within your team. A Masters in Nursing can lead to you taking on an educator role or becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. There are far more options for progression than you might think!

Why would you want to be a nurse? Aside from the almost guaranteed work placement, there is the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. If you’re naturally caring, and keen to help people, then this type of career sounds ideal. Yes, hours can be long, physically demanding, and emotionally challenging. But there are many other roles that follow a simple 9 to 5 approach too. You can be as ‘front line’ as you want to be.

Nurses are still highly regarded and respected in the community. This can be wonderful but also carries a lot of responsibility. It is possible to enjoy this type of career and still take on all the delights of parenting. Shift work is common but not the only option. You might prefer to work for an agency where you can select contracts that are more in line with the hours that suit you.

You can expect a lot of camaraderie within your nursing team when you qualify. After all, you all have to work together and support each other through the shift. Some shifts might be emotionally draining at times, but each of you will support the other. There is an enormous sense of achievement to experience too, each and every day. Do you think you’re ready to become a nurse?

The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Dog

Snoopy McLoughlin, 4 years old

Every pet owner will want to spend as many years as possible with their dog. That’s why it is essential to actively care for their health, which can improve a pet’s personal happiness and may increase their lifespan. Find out how to effectively care for your dog.

Keep Fresh Water Readily Available

It is vital to provide your canine companion with fresh water, which should be readily available within the home or when enjoying a walk outdoors. This will help to avoid dehydration, so your dog will have a healthy, energetic body.

A Nutritional Diet

Sadly, many pet owners are guilty of overfeeding their dogs, which can cause obesity. Overweight dogs are therefore more likely to experience a range of life-threatening medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes. Ensure your pet pooch maintains a healthy weight by discussing your dog’s dietary requirements, which will be based on their age, breed, size and activity levels. Hill's Science Diet dog food has been a trusted name for many years and is a food recommended by many vets.

A Flea Treatment

Fleas can often provide much discomfort to your dog. To ensure your pet is pest-free, we recommend investing in the best flea treatment for dogs on the market, so they will not be troubled by the annoying bugs that can ruin their quality of life. Invest in a product that will not only treat your dog, but your home and outdoor area, too.

Regular Veterinarian Examinations

We recommend having your dog regularly examined by a veterinarian, who can provide deworming help, vaccinations and health advice to put into practice within the home. Also, always ensure you contact a vet if you believe your dog is ill or injured. The vet will work with you to ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life.

Daily Exercise

It’s essential that a canine enjoys between 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise each day. A vet can often advise a pet owner on the physical activity level for a dog’s age, breed and size. Daily walks will also allow your pet to maintain or lose weight, so they will be happier, more energetic and less susceptible to serious medical conditions.

Reproductive Control

If you do not want your pet to have puppies, you should consider the options of spraying or neutering your pet. Again, we suggest discussing the reproductive control options with your veterinarian, as well as any other alternative options that might be available.

Dental Hygiene

Many dog breeds are prone to gum disease, which can cause considerable health complications for your pet. For example, they may experience premature tooth loss, or it could potentially result in an infection to a major organ, such as a heart valve. Provide your dog with teeth cleaning foods that will improve his or her oral hygiene.

Dog Grooming

Even dogs need a little pampering now and then, as they may need grooming or nail trimming. For example, long-coated canines are likely to develop mats or ice balls in their fur. Elderly dogs are also more likely to have overgrown nails that can make walking difficult for your pet.