Thursday, November 2, 2017

The Top Babywearing Benefits for Parents


As you get ready to welcome the arrival of your new bundle of joy, there’s no doubt that you are making a list of all the baby gear and items you’ll need. As you piece together that list, you may want to consider adding a wrap that would allow for “babywearing.”

Babywearing has become quite the trend as of late, and not just because it gives parents a way to walk around with their baby and have both their hands free. Here’s a look at the top babywearing benefits that parents are enjoying.

Let's Talk About the Convenience

The first benefit we need to discuss is, of course, the convenience. It can be pretty hard to get much accomplished with a newborn. They often need a lot of holding, which doesn't leave you with a free hand. By using a baby wrap, your little one will be safe, snug, and secure and you'll have both hands free. This means you can move about the house, do simple chores and errands in and out of the house, and even relax a bit. New parents often complain of sore and tired arms and shoulder muscles; the wrap will eliminate this completely.

Studies Show Baby Will Cry Less

Wouldn't it be great to find a magic way to get your baby to stop crying? A wrap could be the solution. Studies have shown that a baby who is wrapped snuggly against your chest will cry less. They can feel that physical and emotional connection to their parent that they crave.

Anyone Can Use the Wrap

Another great benefit is that anyone can use the wrap, not just mom and dad. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles can all take part in the experience and start to build their own bond with your baby, which can be hard to do otherwise. It also gives mom a break, which is usually very much needed.
This is me at our local farmstead. I am wearing our third child, Callie. Two more came after her and I even mowed the grass with them in the sling while their dad was out of town :-)

Consider it a Workout

For the new mom who is anxious to get back to her pre-pregnancy shape, it can be pretty hard to find time to exercise. Wearing your baby acts like exercise and you won't have to put aside a specific block of time to get it done. The entire time you are wearing your baby in a wrap or sling, you will be giving your entire body a fabulous workout.

Get as Much Information as Possible

If you happen to be a first-time parent, or even if it’s been a few years since the birth of your last child, it’s always a good idea to do your research and get as much information as possible about today’s trends and baby gear. The momcrib.com website is the perfect place to catch up on all the latest baby-related news and help you navigate the waters of parenthood.

Embrace the Trend

Now that you’re aware of the many amazing benefits of babywearing, the only thing left to do is embrace the trend and pick up a wrap for your baby!

Now please check out this post I wrote!




Saturday, October 28, 2017

CoffeeUSA.com Review

So if I were still an office manager like I was back in the day before having kids, I would hit up Coffee.org (merged with another company to form CoffeeUSA.com) for sure for coffee and supplies for the office! They recently sent me over a huge box of different coffee to try out and my family is IMPRESSED!


COFFEE HEAVEN!
I loved every variety of coffee I received, and I am actually pretty picky. Everything was amazing black (my husband can vouch for that), but also with cream and sugar, which is how I take it and have since I started drinking coffee in 1987 when I got my first job as a waitress at Waid's restaurant in Fairway, Kansas!

You've got to check out the website and stock up!

The Top 5 Benefits of Gardening With Kids

Please enjoy this guest post today while I'm moving to our dream house in the country! And stay tuned for our adventures in the country starting a garden from scratch!


We all know that being outside brings plenty of health benefits to us all, and we know that gardening is seen as being therapeutic. Both of these are good for adults, yet gardening has benefits for kids to help them develop as well as become healthier.

You do not have to be a green-fingered gardening genius; you can be a complete novice. Being in the garden with your kids can benefit the both of you.

Engaging the Senses
We all know how curious kids are, they ask questions and run around looking and playing with things. When gardening kids can touch and feel the dirt as they plant seeds, they can see the many different colors of the flowers and the vegetables. Kids can hear sounds as they harvest the ripe vegetables. They also smell the various aromas of the vegetables and herbs that surround them.
All their senses will be used, and they go on to learn all the different concepts that go along with gardening. As well as these senses they can enhance their fine motor skills as they help. From scooping earth and placing it pots with the seeds, to watering the pots. It all helps them develop motor skills which will help them in other areas when they are older.

Different Concepts
Gardening is one of the best ways to introduce the concept of science to kids if nothing else their curiosity will be put to the test. Gardening is not a one trick pony when it comes to the scientific concepts on offer. It covers a full range of chemistry, biology, and botany.

From that first seed they plant, kids will be curious about what happens to the seeds. They will eagerly monitor the progress of the plant as the seed germinates and grows larger. This is an excellent way for them to learn necessary steps of a scientific process without them realizing it.

When kids become older, they quickly determine the effects of water on sunlight and how it affects all the seeds they have planted. Your kids will be exposed to a full science class without ever leaving the garden.

Responsibility and the Environment
When you are outside gardening with your kids, they start to understand how important it is to take care of the environment. Once they want their vegetables to become big and strong, it opens the door for a long conversation how and why pollution, recycling, and pesticides affect us all.

Once your kids have filled their pots and planted their seeds, they now know they will have to tend to them on a regular basis. As they check and water their plants as necessary, they start to become more responsible for their actions.

To help them on their way, you can create a simple checklist for them to make sure they do as they should on a regular basis.

Patience, Planning, and Organization
Regular gardeners know about planning and organizing a garden, and they also know it can be a time-consuming process with a little artistic license thrown in. Understanding vegetable growing times, from planting seeds, to harvest time. It all helps kids to become involved with their planning and problem-solving skills.

Not only will they be able to enhance their organizational strategies from an earlier age. It will also teach them the importance of patience. We all know that young kids seek instant gratification and can get bored very quickly. Once they see something happening with their vegetables, they will learn to become more patient. As they become excited watching their vegetables grow, kids will see not everything has to be right there and then.

Healthy Eating
This is the one thing that all parents would be happy with when kids help with their vegetable garden plants. All parents know how important it is for kids to eat healthily, yet getting them to do this is somewhat more difficult. The good news is that kids are more likely to eat something they have grown. They no longer see cabbage and broccoli as something you are forcing them to eat. Now they have a sense of pride and achievement for everything they have grown or helped to produce.

Kids will have at last helped to create something, and they will understand how important healthy eating is for their growth. All you have to do is be prepared for the dinner table, and your kids say “can you pass the carrots please, Mom.”


BIO: Tim Graham is the YardandGardenGuru.com where he writes about his passions in life getting outdoors, gardening, yard care and his family.


Surviving A Breakup: Self-Care Tips That Will Get You Through

Going through a breakup is one of the toughest things you can do in life. When you first start dating, relationships may not mean that much. But when you find somebody you think you could spend the rest of your life with, everything changes. If you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, you’re married, or you have children, it may feel like the world is crashing down. Nobody can bounce back immediately, but with time, you can muddle through. Here are some self-care tips that will help to cope with the aftermath of relationship breakdown.



Coming to terms with the situation
One of the hardest things to do is to come to terms with the situation you’re facing. Just last week, you may have thought everything was fine and dandy. And now, a few days later, you’re facing an uncertain future. The nature of the breakup can also make it difficult to face up to what has happened. Perhaps your partner has sprung the decision on you out of the blue. Maybe you discovered they were dating other people. Or maybe it was you who made the decision, and now you’re wondering whether it was the right thing to do.

With any life-changing situation, it takes time to get your head around what has happened. It’s sometimes impossible to process so much information in a short space of time. You may have hundreds of questions running through your mind or an endless stream of thoughts.

If there are issues that are up in the air, try and seek closure as soon as possible. Some couples make a clean break while others have a chance of reconciliation lingering in the air. Being in no man’s land can be confusing and upsetting, especially if you want different things. Be honest and open with each other, and make a decision either way. Once you know where you stand, you can start to move forwards, even if you just start with baby steps.

If you plan to meet up with your partner, take a list of questions or comments with you. This will help to ensure that you say everything you want to say at the time. In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to remember what you wanted to ask. You don’t want to go away afterwards and suddenly remember important questions. Be prepared to get answers you don’t want to hear. It may be hurtful, but it’s always best to hear the truth.



Dealing with emotions
When you break up with somebody, you’re likely to experience a whole spectrum of emotions. You may feel desperately sad one day and incredibly angry the next. You might feel vulnerable, confused or betrayed. You may be scared of being alone or worried about telling other people. It’s normal to feel all these emotions, so don’t try and suppress them or ignore them. For many people, splitting up is like a grieving process. You had plans, you had a future, and now that’s in jeopardy. You thought you loved somebody, and now everything is different. It’s understandable to feel distressed, upset, and frustrated.

People deal with emotions in different ways. Some will lock themselves away and cry for days on end. Others will bottle everything up and put on a brave face. Some people will scream and shout. Others will look to friends and family for comfort and advice. There’s no right or wrong way to cope after a breakup. But if you can, try and get things off your chest as soon as you feel ready. If you keep things to yourself, they can bubble away for months, and they may come to a head.

Talking can be really therapeutic because it enables you to get what’s going through your mind out in the open. Some of us feel more comfortable talking to the people that know us best. For others, it’s much easier to open up to somebody we don’t know. If this sounds familiar, you may be interested in having some therapy sessions.



If you struggle to get your feelings across, try other outlets. Some people find it beneficial to write things down. If you have questions swirling around your mind, or you can’t switch off, write down exactly what you’re thinking. If you can’t do this, try painting or drawing. Expressive activities give you that canvas to work with and provide you with the freedom to fill it with whatever you want.

Exercise is a very effective means of tackling negative thoughts and getting rid of frustration, tension, and anger. There are lots of different activities you can try from running or playing tennis to kickboxing or martial arts. Working out is a constructive way to deal with your emotions, and it also provides a cathartic release. When you come out of a session, you’ll feel much better and stronger.



Sorting out the practicalities
When you’ve built a life with somebody, you won’t just experience emotional stress and sadness when it all falls down. There are also practical considerations to bear in mind. You don’t need to rush into seeing a family law attorney right away. But it’s wise to tackle practical issues before they start to get on top of you and cause you more stress. If you have children or you own a home or business together, there are important implications to consider. You may want to apply for custody of the children or a share of funds generated from sales. If you’re married, and you’re sure that the relationship is over, you may wish to file for a divorce.

Coping with the fallout of breaking up can be incredibly tough, especially when children are involved. During this time, make sure you have the best legal team and people around you to support you. Your representatives will do all they can to get you the best settlement. But you’ll also need friends and family there to reassure you, and help you get through difficult days.



Search for the silver lining
The saying goes that every cloud has a silver lining. It may take you a long time to find the positives, but there are bound to be some. It’s never as easy as simply saying to yourself that you need to think positively. There may be days when you feel that you’re never going to be happy again. But there will be a time when you can identify advantages of your new situation. Being alone can be scary. But it can also open new doors. Be brave, and when you’re ready, start embracing this new opportunity. Spend your time doing what you want. Catch up with friends or make an effort to make new ones. Go traveling to those places you always wanted to visit or take the plunge with a business idea you’ve been mulling over. A fresh start can be daunting, but it’s also a very exciting time.



Look forwards not backwards
When you’ve been with somebody for a long time, it can be very difficult to think about a future without them. It’s much easier to dwell on the past and think about what went wrong. It’s beneficial to identify problems that lead to the breakup. But once you’ve processed this information, move on. It’s not healthy to spend your time obsessing about the past. Start looking forwards. It can be confusing, and you may wonder what on earth you’re going to do with your time. However, it can also be refreshing. Write yourself a list of goals. What do you want to achieve in the next few months? Do you want to look for a new job or find a new home? Do you want to book a vacation with the girls or learn a new language? Are you keen to get back to the gym after a break or join a local sports team? The world is your oyster, and now is the time for you to take control and make decisions. Surround yourself with people who care about you, and have fun. Take on new challenges and do things that make you happy. Gradually, you’ll build confidence, and gain a new lease for life. Time can be a miraculous healer.


When you break up with somebody, it can be incredibly tough to imagine a day when you feel happy again. The good news is that you will heal, and you will move on. The bad news is that it can take a long time. Everyone is different, and we all respond to life’s curve balls in different ways. Take your time to process what’s happened, and keep a network of friends and relatives close by. Get the answers you want, and try and deal with your emotions in a constructive way. Be kind to yourself. When you’re ready, start to look forwards, and don’t dwell in the past. Spend time with people you love doing things that make you smile. Eventually, you’ll realize that every cloud does have a silver lining.

Friday, October 27, 2017

Make Extra Money For The Holiday Season With These Apps

The McKids, Christmas 2013

We are living in the mobile age, and from useful tools to photo editing to generating extra income there really is an app for everything. Given that we carry our smartphones with us everywhere including the bathroom for some, why not make use of them in your down-time to earn a bit extra every month? Although you're not going to get rich quick there is money to be made usually in the form of cash or vouchers and there’s a huge variety of methods to chose from such as blogging, online trading, freelance writing to name a few, read on to hear about some more in detail...

Survey and Task-based Apps
Surveys are a staple of armchair income, allowing you to use the web and complete questionnaires for prizes. Now you can use your smartphone both to survey form your browser, or directly through mobile apps. Next time you’re on your lengthy commute, why not keep your mind stimulated with questions to compile points for cash? Here’s a rundown of the top picks in survey apps.
  • Swagbucks is a mainstay for iOS and Android survey users, offering points for completing surveys and polls, watching advertorials, shopping, playing games and more. You can earn points from referrals and there are multiple rewards and bonuses to be won. You typically earn 50 cents (70 Swagbucks) per survey.
  • i-Say is a popular app system which offers you points for finishing surveys. With prizes of up to $13 in Amazon vouchers typically won a month, you can earn between 7 cents and $2.30 for a single survey.
  • Qustodian is a great little app that allows you to earn money by viewing adverts. Simply download the app and create a profile of your interests; Qustodian then forward you adverts to watch and questions to answer. It pays both via PayPal and direct to your bank account in multiples of $13.
  • Google Opinion Rewards. This one is more restricted, but if you are using an Android device, here you can earn Google Play credit for answering simple weekly questions. Surveys are very short and sweet, with the equivalent of 8-80 cents earned per answer.
  • Toluna is another app for taking surveys. It features a healthy community of users and a rewards scheme that offers some 15 points per one-question task. With a range of gift cards and sweepstakes, you can slowly earn money over time, with a $46 PayPal voucher costing 185,000 points.


Re-sale
Selling on the go in now so much easier; from eBay to Gumtree, there are innumerable apps that allow you to compile and sell your unneeded belongings online as you commute or lounge at home. Local Facebook groups and the app-based Facebook Marketplace, however, really allow you to make the most of your second-hand items. With no fees, you get all the profits where other apps take a slice of both your sale and p&p.

Market Research
  • Field Agent is a unique app which allows you to mystery shop from your smartphone. By completing short tasks such as checking stock availability online, you can earn up to $7 on the go in one task. The mystery shopper feature also allows you to experience and rate anything from products to pubs for free! It is competitive of course, but if you enjoy the idea of being a "secret" agent, it's worth signing up in case big tasks — and big rewards — come up.
  • Streetspotr is an app that pays you for market research, or "treasure hunts". The tasks pay roughly $7 each and involve everything from photographing supermarket displays to checking menus in cafes or restaurants. If you are already out walking the high street, simply load up the app for a chance to earn rewards.
  • Task 360 is another research task app, allowing you to help companies solve logistical problems - from informing sat nav companies about new road directions, to checking if a public poster advertisement is viewable. It pays about $7-$13 for 15 minutes recon work and is best accessed before 9am


Job Spotting

Job Spotter is another unique in-app experience for earning extra money. Launched by job site Indeed, it rewards you for taking pictures of job vacancies you see in windows along your commute. They pay you in Amazon vouchers rather than cash, but it all adds up!