5 Ways To Keep Your Young Children Entertained While Social Distancing

My teen boys working together to put the finishing touches on Joel's 19th birthday creme brulee :-)

Many children around the world are showing signs of rebellion or depression because of the long-term isolation they are going through due to the pandemic. The good news is there are ways you can help your young children through their life experiences as you teach them how to deal with new tensions and frustrations.

Technology

Although technology should not be used as a long-term solution to a child’s boredom or entertainment, there are beneficial apps that children can enjoy. Select sites that have music and encourage movement, logic, or creativity, and then monitor the child’s use of the app carefully.

One-on-One

One of the best ways to interact with your children is by planning one-on-one time. Tickle sessions, making up stories, and playing fun and educational fingerplay exercises can all engage the child while teaching the tot new mental skills.

Kitchen

Isolation can be fun if you involve your children in the kitchen. Let them help make lunch and have a blanket picnic in the middle of the kitchen or under the table. Invite each child to add toppings to their very own pizza and watch how exciting a meal can become.

Dancing

Most children love music, movement, and dancing. Turn the music up and take the time to dance with your children. After a couple of days, your children may begin dancing as soon as you turn the music on – even without you. For an added treat, let each child select a favorite song to dance to.

Art

Coloring, cutting, and pasting have been a favorite of children across the globe for years for a reason – art is essential to their mental growth. Learning to create and think outside the cultural norms of yellow suns and green trees can be exciting for a child and broaden their creative horizon.

You can help your child deal with their isolation and boredom by introducing these five activities. You may find your children love the structured time so much they participate without any whining. Yes, miracles do occur!

Easy Ways To Keep The Kids Entertained This Summer

Now that summer has arrived, parents are faced with the summer holidays. It can sometimes be
challenging to know how to keep the kids busy through the summer. You don’t want to risk not
organising anything, by the time the end of the summer arrives, you’ll be sure to be pulling your
hair out. 

Photo by Mac DeStroir from Pexels

Things of things to do, however, doesn’t have to mean you are going out and about. You can stay at
home and have just as much fun. Parents often get confused into thinking they need to go out all the
time and fill the summer with expensive activities; this isn’t the case. 

If you’re finding it hard to think of some ways to keep the kids entertained this summer, have a look at
some of the ideas below: 

Out And About 

Ok, so we will start with a few days out, but inexpensive ideas. There is a load of fun activities that
you can get involved with over the summer when the weather is perfect.

Visit The Beach -  A trip to the beach is often a great success for the kids. It’s something that the
whole family can get involved with, with water sports, sandcastle competitions, picnics, and much
more the beach is a winning, cheap day out for the whole family. 

Theme Parks - You may think that this is an expensive option; however, if you shop around and find
coupons, you can often find a great deal for these kinds of days out. 

A Trip To A Park - Whether you choose a play park or a national park, they are both brilliant. Ride
your bikes, playing ball games, have a picnic, relax in the summer sun, or enjoy a box of
pretzels delivered (order them in advance).

There is plenty that a park can offer you and the kids, and it’s a popular go-to for many parents in
the summer holidays. 

Days In 

Days in can be just as entertaining as days out in the summer. They are also a great way to keep
the costs down if you have spent some savings on trips or week away already. Being at home also
enables your children to free play and choose some activities they would like to do in their own space. 

Home Cinema - An enjoyable day at home is a home cinema. Recreate a cinema feeling in your
lounge. Pick out some favourite movies and munch on some hotdogs and popcorn. You could even
set the living room up as a den that surrounds the TV with comfy seating and blankets. 

Back Yard Camping - Who said you have to travel to camp? Camping in the back yard can be a
brilliant way to introduce your kids to nature without worrying if they’ll enjoy it, they will automatically
feel safer because they are in their back yard. Why not go the whole way and create a mini-camp
site complete with a seating area, fake fire (or real under supervision), lanterns, and chairs. 

These ideas should get the creative juices flowing and give you a good starting position with
your summer holiday plans. Is there anything that you are planning for this summer? Please
share your ideas in the comments below. 

Toronto Sexual Assault Lawyer: What You Need to Know

A Toronto sexual assault lawyer can help you with your sexual assault case. Here are a few things about sexual assault cases you should know.

A Toronto sexual assault lawyer is defined as a lawyer who defends victims and alleged perpetrators of assault of a sexual nature. In the Toronto justice system, sexual assault offenses are not taken lightly, and the charges can be serious to people found guilty of the offense. If the jury convicts you, apart from a lengthy jail term, your criminal record can follow you for your entire life because the stigmatization can be intense.

The justice system has made it imperative to protect complainants who report sexual assault cases. This is because these people are normally prone to threats from the perpetrators if they report such cases. One of the key thing that should be protected is the records (private medical and police) of the person filing the complaint, which are only made available to the Toronto sexual assault lawyer and in some cases to the defense if they need to know more about the cases. However, that access is only given by the judge.

1. Defending the Accused in a Sexual Assault Offense

To adequately represent the accused, a Toronto sexual assault lawyer should understand the tools and options available to utilize in theirs defense.

For instance, the lawyer can hire private scientific investigators to look deeper into the evidence, including analyzing the DNA. These strategies can help the defense discover some weaknesses.

Defending the accused is not an easy go, and therefore the defense side should formulate a tactical plan on how to present their argument. Sexual assault cases can be quite lengthy and cumbersome and put a lot of pressure on the family of the accused, and that can lead to stress on family cohesion.

2. Consequences of a Sexual Assault Case

If you are convicted, you are more likely to be jailed, and due to the nature of the case, the jail term can be very long. The crime could also attract a probation, lifetime prohibition of weapons, 20 years on the National Sex Offender Registry order and a DNA order.

3. Allegations Which are Historical in Nature

Sexual assault cases can be historical. However, in Toronto, there is no time limit when it comes to sexual assault allegations. Nevertheless, if the allegations are brought forward more than half a year after the occurrence of the offense, the alleged can have a panel trial.

4. Consent

In most cases Ernst Ashurov Toronto sexual assault lawyers have handled, the alleged claimed that the victim had consented to sexual activity. So, how strong is this defense? It is worth understanding that some scenarios are not lawfully considered to anchor the consent claims. Some of the scenarios include:

-        When the offender was given the advice of the consent by another person which is not a too common scenario.

-        When the victim was not in good mental /body conditions to consent, i.e. mentally challenged, intoxicated or young to give in.

-        When the complainant only consented to the act because the accused was in a power, trust or authority position.

-        Lastly, when the complainant indicated non-consent by her words or conduct (this includes the circumstances where the consent was originally in place, but then the victim withdrew it for some reason)

Honesty in consent can be a legal defense. The consent should not be prompted by alcohol or drugs. The accused is, therefore, supposed to decide whether there was consent.

Therefore, during the jury hearing, the accused should testify if at all the consent defense will be successful (even though this is not always the case as the authority of proof lies with the Crown)

5. Hire the Best Toronto Sexual Assault Lawyer

Given the seriousness and severity of sexual assault cases, if, unfortunately, you find yourself in a case like this, you should hire the best sexual assault lawyer to represent you in court.

The lawyer will work hard to give you the help you need, including soft settlement rectification. Toronto’s sexual assault lawyers have a verified track record and years of experience under their belt and can represent you properly.

5 Ways to Treat Insect Stings at Home

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

When you hear insect sting the first thought is usually wasps and bees. These are the most common stings, can be very painful, and may cause health issues if you have an allergy.

However, they are not the only insects that sting, you need to be ready to deal with the aftermath from any insect sting.

In fact, it’s a good idea to speak to your local exterminator as they will be aware of the most common stinging insects in your area and what you can do to minimize the risk of them invading your home. Click here to find out more!

If you have been unfortunate enough to be stung then try one of these 5 treatment methods:

Ice

This is a simple and effective way to reduce swelling and minimize pain. The coldness of the ice will cause the affected area to feel numb and will decrease blood flow to the area. This minimizes swelling and will help to reduce the amount of toxin being moved around your body. Put simply, less blood to the area reduces the ability for any toxins in the sting to get into your blood and move around your body.

It’s best to wrap a couple of ice cubes in a damp cloth and ace the on the sting for approximately 20 minutes.

Garlic

You may be surprised to discover that garlic can be very effective at reducing the pain of an insect sting. All you need to do is crush a garlic clove and cover the sting with it. It’s the garlic juices that are most effective so make sure they are included in your paste.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is great for a number of things, including insects stings. It is particularly effective against bee stings. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste. Then slather this across the sting and wait. It will start to soothe almost instantly.

Don’t forget that bees leave their sting in you, it will need to be carefully removed.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is an effective approach when you’ve been stung by a wasp. The wasp sting, and even the hornets, are alkaline in nature, acidic compounds are the most effective at neutralizing them.

Dip a cotton wool swab into the apple cider vinegar and place it on the sting, or use a cotton swab and rub it across the sting. The pain will quickly reduce, allowing you to inspect the sting properly.

Onion

Onions are another surprisingly effective approach to insects stings and you’ll probably always have one in the house. Simply cut an onion in half and press the exposed area onto your sting. Hold it there until the pain disappears.

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to any insect sting, pay carefully attention to any symptoms that develop after the sting and seek the necessary medical attention if required. This is one scenario where it is definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Unusual and Cool Arts & Crafts Materials

Image by https://500px.com/ michael-gaida from Pixabay

Are you bored out of your mind and looking to learn a new crafting skill? Do you usually craft and are looking for something to up your game? If you can answer yes to either of these questions, then it might be time to look into some new crafting materials. Below are some cool things you can check out that can help with making jewelry and other types of crafts.

Feathers

Feathers, depending on their size, can be used in a variety of arts and crafts items. Small feathers can look absolutely beautiful when used in earrings or necklaces. The Native Americans often used feathers in their headdresses or to make dreamcatchers. You can find feathers by walking down a beach, but that's not always sanitary. Instead, it might be best to order feathers online. Plus, then you can pick out exactly what kinds you want. Pheasant Feathers, peacock, duck, and more can all be found easily online for sale.

Mosaic Tiles

You may have learned about mosaic art if you've ever studied the Greeks or Romans. These two cultures often used mosaic tiles to make beautiful pieces of art. Today, mosaic art is less common, but not any less beautiful. You can purchase mosaic tiles online or in craft stores to make your own patterns. These art pieces are most commonly used in gardens and other outside decorations. Check out these great mosaic pieces to get some inspiration for your next craft project.

The next time you are looking to make a new kind of craft, consider buying feathers or mosaic tiles. There are so many things that you can do with each of these items that you are sure to keep yourself busy for a while. Who knows? You may even get a new hobby out of it. Have fun!