6 Tips on Building Self-Esteem in your Child

We gave Callie the choice to explore her talents recently, and she chose to participate in a huge musical theater production. It was a lot of hard work and responsibility and she rocked it like a shining star!

Building your child’s self-esteem is very important. A healthy self –esteemed child feels confident, proud of himself, valuable, appreciated and in general he’s a happy child. A low esteemed child on the other hand, will hate himself, feels that he is not good at anything, have fear to express himself to others, feel insecure and will always be sad.  This can have effects on both his performance in school and also his future.

Children are not born with confidence, they develop it with time. So it is your duty as a parent to ensure your kid will have a healthy self-esteem.

1.      Do not compare your children

No children that are the same in any way. So don’t make a mistake of comparing your child with his brother, sister or with any other child for that matter. Treat and have time to understand each of your child individually. Comparing him with others will make him feel as an inferior and especially on a negative note.  Encourage him instead to be better.

2.      Step back

It’s always good to step back and let your child do some of his things for himself. However it is advisable you first show them how they’re done before leaving them to try them out on their own. For example, let him learn to dress himself or even tie his shoelaces by doing it. In most cases he won’t do it the right way on the first time, but with time he’ll be perfect and know he can in deed do it.

3.      Make them work

Give your child some responsibility and again don’t help him out. Let him have goals on how to go about it. This will empower them by the time they finish they will feel good about themselves to know you can count on them for such tasks. Learn how to get your kids up and moving on Mobilityguardian.Com.

4.      Give them choices

Let your children make some decision on what they want depending on their age. For example you can let your 4 year old choose whether he’ll take toast or cereals for the breakfast. 

5.      Explore and encourage their talents

Know what your child performs better and have more interest with. Encourage them to continue and offer them your support. E.g. pay for their training if they will require it and always let them know you’re happy and proud about it.

6.      Let them know you love them unconditionally

Assure your child of your love towards him/her. If they happen to make a mistake that gets you very irritated with them, you can just get out of their sight for some time to avoid reacting in a way that will affect their feelings. If you have to punish, let them know you love them but you dislike their actions.

Make a choice as a parent to improve your child’s confidence and he’ll grow up a happy and healthy kid. Praise him appropriately but don’t overdo it. Do not forget you are his role model. Be the best mom/daddy and make your kids proud of you as you also become proud of them.

Best Summer Swim Mask/Goggles

Sometimes I find a product that impresses me and I have to share it!

My 8-year-old son Samuel just broke his fabulous "goggles" ... they aren't really goggles, though. It's more like a diving mask that also covers his nose. It stinks because we just opened our country swimming pool a few weeks ago and he really uses the heck out of those things.

My husband may or may not kill me for posting this! This was taken Mother's Day weekend and he had just opened the pool Friday night. Joel and I were at Callie's CYT production this evening when they were swimming. Sam loves his "goggles" :-)

So I went online to try to figure out when and where I bought that exact mask because it held up so well when everything before it broke too easily. I mean, this thing lasted at least through most of last summer and then 2 weeks in Florida in October then a few weeks here at our house pool.

I couldn't find this product when I searched my Amazon orders, so I went to the search bar and typed in "dive mask." Algorithms and computers are a beautiful thing sometimes because over on the right of the screen there was the exact mask I bought him once before. I clicked on it.

Turns out I bought it January 2017. Wow. I hadn't gone back far enough in my orders to find that out.

That means this thing lasted all through our INDOOR swim season, all last summer, 2 weeks in Florida in the ocean and at swimming pools and then about 3 weeks here at home before it broke. (the hard plastic broke above the nose, FYI).

So, for just $15.88 and free 2-day delivery (Amazon Prime is the way to go), I got another one. No brainer. Here's the link if you want to get your kid the best dive mask around for the pool this summer! Sam was a fresh 7 when he got it and now he's careening toward 9. The mask is adjustable and would probably fit any kid even into their teens.



*I might get a few cents if you order by clicking on the picture above; just wanted to let you know.

How to Live Your Best Life

Living your best life means something different for everyone, but it’s something everyone aspires to achieve. There is not a single person that willingly chooses to spend their days sad and angry at the world. The idea of obtaining happiness and what that means has been sought for centuries. As times change and you age, living your best life will include different thought processes. In college, your ideal life could have been going to the latest parties and travel. In your thirties, your best life may revolve around spending time with your family, instead. No matter how old you are now, here are a few tips to follow in order to live your best life in the best way possible.

Maintain a positive outlook

Your mindset affects how you look at life. No matter what you are doing, when you look at it through a negative lens, you will not be happy. You can learn to make the best of certain tough situations or you can let them negatively impact you. Although nobody can be happy at all times, it’s best not to build your life around negative emotions. Maintaining a positive outlook may take some practice, but it is achievable.

Are you more of a glass half full or half empty type of person? The way you answer this reflects on whether you look at life via an optimistic versus pessimistic lens. Life is full of ups and downs, and it’s natural for it to be that way. However, you can pass through stress and tough situation by looking at the positive aspects. Instead of seeing an occurrence as a problem, you can think of it as a situation that will pass. Giving yourself a pep talk here and there wouldn’t hurt either. Think happy thoughts! You can’t grow without encountering some difficult scenarios, and no bad situation lasts forever.

Travel

Whether you are going on a family vacation in your 30s or embarking on a backpacking trip in your 20s, there is something about travel that makes a lot of people happy. Perhaps you feel a sense of wanderlust or a bubbling excitement for a new experience. The reasons for travel run aplenty, from needing a break from the daily grind, in need of an adventure or perhaps you simply caught the ‘travel bug.’ Traveling makes you a citizen of the world as you absorb a variety of different experiences along the way. Going on vacation is an exciting time for many people, and it’s one of those life moments where people tend to be more carefree. Moments and plans that go wrong while you are away in another city or country teach you to deal with various upsetting situations as they occur. There are many situations not worth getting upset about, and traveling can help you learn to roll with them. Travel changes people’s lives for the better and helps many achieve their best life. Going on vacation or traveling for longer periods of time can broaden your perspective and teach you new life lessons along the way.

Spend time with friends & family

You cannot live your best life without your loved ones. As cliche as it sounds, your friends and family are there for you through the good and the bad times. When you have a stressful day, chances are you will go to either your friends or family to talk about it. It boils down to the fact that spending time with your loved ones can help you be happy. Likewise, spending time with your friends can improve your health and wellbeing. Friends can bring out your positive streak. Plus, there is nothing quite like catching up with a friend while you talk about your dreams and aspirations, albeit, again, cliche. Spending time with people that are themselves, happy individuals is also infectious and can increase your own happiness levels.

Live a health-conscious life

A health-conscious life is one where you maintain your mental and physical wellbeing. In taking care of your health, you are also improving your ability to live longer. The question is, what lifestyle choices do you need to make to live a healthy and long life? There is a long list of factors to consider, but three noteworthy ones are eating the proper food, exercising and sleeping enough. In order to take care of your mind and body, you must eat a balanced and nutritious diet. Failure to do so, and eating excessive junk food or food high in sodium, can lead to numerous health problems such as high blood pressure. You can read more here about the medications required to treat high blood pressure and what they each mean. Why risk your health when you can take the necessary preventative measures?

In addition to a balanced diet, taking care of your mind and body requires daily exercise. If you spend most of your day at work sitting down in front of a computer, you need to incorporate workouts into your daily routine. Whether it’s the first thing in the morning or after work, physical activity will keep your body in shape, maintain your stamina and lower your chances of various health problems later in life. Thirdly, a health-conscious life requires you to get enough sleep. Sleep helps your mind and body rejuvenate for the next day, and it is necessary to sleep 7-9 hours a night to properly focus the next day. A health-conscious life is living your best life, as you cannot enjoy life without taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing. A healthy mind and body are necessary for a happy life.

Living your best life means enjoying life to the fullest while also being mindful of your wellbeing. Spend time with people that make you happy, experience new cultures by traveling and maintain a positive outlook, while also considering the proper exercise, diet and sleep schedule that will maintain your health. A happy and fulfilled life only occurs because of the actions people take to obtain it. Your lifestyle and habits affect your quality of life, as it is seen through your actions, attitude, and values. So, what are you doing to live your best life?

Epic Excuses To Finally Visit Alaska

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Alaska is a US state, yet it’s so far away that it almost feels foreign. After all, it did once belong to
Canada. Maybe that’s what makes it intriguing to the rest of the country, the same way Ireland appeals to
the Brits. It’s part of America and also not part of America at the same time.

Although it’s on most people’s bucket list, there are sticking points. For starters, its thousands of miles
away depends on your location and that makes it expensive. Plus, it’s a hassle. Those cons never go
away, but the pros outweigh them enough to book a trip finally. Here are four that will force you to
schedule a family vacation to Alaska as soon as possible.

The Hotels

Okay, Alaska is renowned for its spectacular lodgings even though there are a couple of five-star
establishments. However, it’s not the fine dining and spa treatment that you are looking for. Nope, it’s
the view from the window of the Northern Lights. The SpringHill Suites Fairbanks site promotes the
Aurora Borealis as an attraction, and it isn’t the only one. As long as the hotel is far enough North, then
there’s a fantastic chance to see one of nature’s most incredible sights. And, you can do it from the
comfort of a lounge with a glass of wine in hand.

The Wildlife

Plenty of places in the USA boast excellent wildlife watching opportunities. From the Rockies to the
Great Lakes, there isn’t a shortage of animals to spot. Not to make it a competition, but Alaska does
seem to have a better range than anywhere else in the country. And, that isn’t something other states
should envy because it is one of greatest wildlife hotspots in the world. In the winter, wolves and bison
roam the plains, while grizzlies hunt salmon in the spring and summer.

The Peace And Quiet

Twice the size of Texas, Alaska is easily the biggest state in the US. In comparison, it only has 700,000
residents, and around 350,000 live in Anchorage. What does this mean? It implies, and rightly so that a
lot of the state is untouched and lives as God intended. Remember that only one-fifth of Alaska is
accessible by car, which means there is raw wilderness everywhere. Hiking and trekking in this part of the
country, then, is an experience that is impossible to recreate anywhere else. There are risks, yet it’s
worth taking if you’re an environmental buff.

The Retail Therapy

Granted, Alaska isn’t known for its shopping opportunities, but it should be because of the price. Retail
values are lower than in mainland US, and there is a bonus of 0% sales tax. Everything you buy is
tax-free and that reduces the cost of a shopping spree by a significant chunk. Okay, the selection of
stores may not be the same as in LA or NYC, but they have establishments such as Nordstrom’s which
sells modern stuff.

There is an excuse on the list that will twist your arm? Are you going to break the mold and visit Alaska
at last?

6 Natural Remedies for Sinus Pain Relief

Many people witness the discomforting pressure and pain due to sinus problems in life. This medical disorder is treatable using medicines and surgeries. However, before one tries out such forceful methods of treatment, you should first go for natural ways. You may never know that natural remedies are often more effective in curing sinus pain. These deep pockets within the nose bones are often blocked with mucus, for which natural resources can act as wonders. This post will share some of the tried-and-tested methods for preventing and curing this irritating and congesting pain in your nose. Try these out carefully for the best results.

·         Try flushing your nasal passage

This method may require you to use a spray such a saline solution, which will help you decrease the viscosity of the mucus trapped in the sinus. Once it becomes thin, you can flush it out by blowing your nose from time to time. If this remedy does not work for you, then move to the next one on the list.

·         Try steam

This natural way involves the use of water vapors to make the mucus thinner. You can either use a steamer for this method or opt for a steamy bath. This method will loosen the debris and mucus trapped in your nose and flush it out. To make it more useful, spray some drops of menthol or eucalyptus when showering. You can read more health-related blog posts at Beacon Transcript.

·         Stay hydrated

Clogged mucus in the nasal passage may also occur due to dehydration. Remember, you need to maintain a moist sinus, for which you have to drink fluids as often as possible. The consumption of fluids is not the same for every individual. Thus, you may require it more compared to others. A way to check whether you are hydrated or not is by checking your urine’s color. If it is clear, then you are properly hydrated.

·         Consume spicy food

You may have felt a runny nose when you consume spicy foods. This technique may also work with your sinus problem. Just consume spicy foods such as wasabi, horseradish, hot peppers, mustard, etc. to help to clear your sinuses. If spicy food is not the right choice for you, then choose some other method.

·         Make your house allergy-proof

If you are allergic to some entity, then you may face more irritation due to your sinus pain. Thus, keeping a check on the environment around you and cleaning it with allergic elements is a prudent way to limit the chances of such nasal discomforts. Learn about what is causing the allergy, and then get rid of it from your premises.

·         Compress the nose area using a warm cloth

This remedy will help warm the nasal passage and your sinuses. Heating them will moisten the tissues and let the mucus flow smoothly. The method works best when you place the warm cloth (preferably a towel) covering your nose and breathing through it. This technique is also similar to the use of a steamer.

Sinus pain problems are preventable if you follow such tips religiously. Just be careful and don't injure yourself while performing some of these methods.