3 Kids and Us

How to Take Care of Your New Puppy

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Have you recently become a proud owner of a puppy? Congratulations! You made a wonderful decision. Your life will change for the better because you now have a true life companion. Puppies bring a lot of joy to your world but you also need to do your part. You need to learn a few things so that you know how to take good care of your new best friend. So, let’s jump right in!

Get your home ready

Safety is of utmost importance! Before you bring home your beloved puppy, we advise you to make sure that your home is as safe as possible. Just like toddlers, puppies like to explore and check everything out in the house. That’s why you need to protect your belongings from being destroyed by an adventurous puppy. Many call this act of preparation ‘puppy-proofing’. It is similar to toddler-proofing, but there are some differences. Place electrical cords, potential toxins and breakable items out of your puppy’s reach. Do know that ‘child-safe’ latches don’t work on curious and determined puppies. Secure lower cabinets and drawers with locks or metal hardware. It needs to be chew-proof. Invest in pet gates in order to keep your puppy away from certain rooms in your home. We believe that keeping your puppy away from the kitchen and the trash can is a good idea. Your puppy will be safe and you’ll have your peace.

Puppy essentials

Your little pooch will need various items from the very beginning. Some of these items are essential while others are quite helpful. The most important items include a leash, a collar with identification, food and water bowls and chew toys. A comfortable dog bed is recommended and a crate or kennel. Some of these items last for ages but as your puppy grows older, they will need to be replaced. Collars are adjustable but only up to a certain point. When it comes to chew toys, don’t be stingy, since it’s better for your puppy to chew those toys than your furniture. It would also be a great idea to get some chewables from NexGard for dogs, which prevent flea infestations and deter ticks. Considering that your puppy will be quite active and brimming with energy, walks and runs at the park will be common. Of course, your puppy will play on the grass and that gives ticks a chance to strike. So take every necessary measure to prevent infestations. Last but not least, brace yourself for the expenses associated with dog ownership. You’ll want to create a budget and stick to it. Have some extra cash in your budget for unexpected costs too. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

The puppy’s health

Since you’ll want to take good care of your puppy’s health, you have to find a good veterinarian. Within a few days of bringing your new puppy home, you need to take him to your vet for a general checkup. Make the trip to the vet’s office a good experience for your puppy. You don’t want your pooch to be scared of vet, since you’ll be paying quite a lot of visits during the first six months. Firstly, a puppy vaccine is obligatory. If you believe that your puppy should be spayed or neutered, make sure that you do that during that six-month period, too. A vet can identify any potential health issue early on, so establish a good communication with them. Another good idea would be to purchase pet health insurance. In some cases, pet health insurance covers up to 80% of your dog’s health care costs. That way you’ll keep your puppy’s expenses down.

Good food

Just like you choose only the best food for yourself, the same should apply for your puppy. Especially when you consider the fact that your puppy’s diet makes all the difference in his future health and well-being. Firstly, do your research before deciding on which dog food to buy. Consult your vet and fellow dog owners. You can always switch to another food if the food you initially bought does not fit your puppy the best. Fortunately, nowadays the choices seem endless. Some proud owners opt for premium foods while many other go for natural diets. Popularity-wise, homemade and raw diets are on the rise. Take into account the quality of the ingredients, the inclusion of proper nutrients and the taste while you are looking for puppy food. Choose a food appropriate for growth! The food needs to be healthy but your puppy also needs to enjoy eating it.

Follow our guide and you will be ready for the challenge. Just like you take good care of yourself, you need to do the same for your beloved pet. After all, you won’t find a better friend.

5 Things That Will Make Your Life a Lot Easier

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Let’s face it: no matter how much older generations say that the new generations have it easier, in reality, we are dealing with a lot more on our plate, and expectations that always seem to be out of reach. But we do have one advantage in the welcoming arms of technology and its ability to make our lives so much easier. So let’s look at some things that will help you save those precious minutes that get eaten up during the day:

 Slow cooker

Who ever invented the slow cooker should very clearly get a medal. It is so simple to use and yields fantastic results every time. For those who still aren’t familiar with this machine: it’s a large pot that slowly heats and cooks the food for a long time, giving you some of the tenderest textures you’ve ever eaten in your life. Gather a few recipes you like, throw everything in the pot in the morning and forget about it until dinner. If you haven’t had the time – no worries! There is also a high temperature setting that can halve the cooking time.

 Robotic cleaner

Sure, we know we should do a quick sweep-up every day, but sometimes we simply don’t have the time or energy. In situations like these, what you need is a little help from our good friend, the roomba. Just turn it on and let it roll. It will sweep the floors for you, and if you get one that’s quiet enough, you’ll barely notice it. It’s not enough to cover the top-to-bottom cleanings, but it will take the load off on a daily basis. You can also get a robotic window cleaner, that you simply turn on and let it do its magic – without any climbing on chairs to reach the top of the window!

 Home services

We simply don’t have the time to run around town running errands. Luckily, you can have nearly everything delivered right to your doorstep: from groceries that you order online, to a professional mechanic that will come to your door and fix up your car. Use these services whenever you can, especially if the alternative is going to the other side of town or having to pay someone to take care of your children while you’re gone. Research local shops and service providers and note which ones offer home visits that you can make use of.

 Multi-purpose wipes

There is always a mess to clean up, especially if you have kids. Whether it’s spilled food on the floor, muddy shoe prints or a crafts project gone wrong, you don’t have the time to dig through the closet in search for the exact right product for that mess. What you need is an all-purpose wipe that can quickly mop up a spill, clean a floor, table or hands. You can buy them or make them yourself with natural ingredients like soap and vinegar. Make an on-the-go pack as well, so you’re not left stranded in any situation.

 Bullet journal

You might have heard of this sensation that has taken the world by storm in the past two years: bullet journaling. It’s a creative mix of planning, keeping a diary and organizing your life. In one place, you’ll have all the info you need at a single glance, and you can customize it in a million ways to make sure it’s the perfect thing for you. You can find different trackers, like cleaning schedules, meal planners and daily checklists, that will help you not lose control of your life, while at the same time giving you the creative outlet you might not have time for otherwise. You can also find bullet journal support groups online where thousands of people can help you find the best way to track what you need.

No home is impossible to handle, and the only thing you need to learn is how to organize, delegate and save time where you can. When we take a realistic look at our 24 hours, we can see that there is actually a lot more that we can fit in there than we might think, without sacrificing any sleep or that oh-so-important time for ourselves. Hopefully these things will help you feel like you are on top of things, no matter the situation.

Important Things Moms Should Have in Their Car

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As a mom, you are expected to get everything in order. Whether you’re going grocery shopping, taking or picking up your kids from school, going on a road trip with your entire family, you need to be prepared for anything.

If you spend a lot of time driving around every day, your vehicle becomes, by default, your second home. So, it’s always a good idea to bring some essential items that you and your children may need while you’re on the road.

For those moms who want to have their bases covered, our friends from Alpha Car Finance have put together a list of important things that you shouldn’t leave home without.

Water

In case your kids or anyone gets thirsty, it’s handy to keep a couple of bottles in your car. You may find yourself staying in the car or at the park longer than expected. So, even if the water’s not cold, it should be enough to quench your children’s thirst until you get home.

Snacks

It may be the source of those annoying crumbs that you need to clean up later, but it’s either that or not having anything to feed your hungry kids.

First aid kit

For those scrapes and other boo-boos your kids might get along the way, you need to keep an all-purpose first aid kit in your car. Have some bandages, medicine, antiseptic, and some cotton, ready in case of an emergency.

Wet wipes

This is not just essential for kids but also for grown-ups, too. Messy incidents can happen anytime, anywhere. So, be sure to have a supply of wet wipes ready.

Hand sanitiser

Speaking of messy incidents, you can quickly protect yourself and your kids from harmful germs and bacteria. With just a few sprays, you can disinfect your kids’ hands from whatever unsanitary surfaces or things they may have touched.

Umbrella

In case you missed the latest weather report, you can always protect yourself and your kids from getting drenched in a sudden, heavy downpour or take cover from the blazing sun.

A spare phone charger

Nothing sucks more than having your mobile’s battery holding on for dear life just when you need to send an urgent call or text message. So, in case you forget to top up your phone, have an extra charger or a power bank handy in your vehicle.

Flashlight and fresh batteries

This will come in useful when you need to look for something at night or in dimly-lit areas.

Garbage bags

You can put all your rubbish conveniently in one place and easily drop it off at the nearest trash can.

Keep a list

In case you forget to bring your mobile or its battery eventually dies, keep a written list of emergency phone numbers in your glove compartment.

Items for entertainment

If you’re going to be driving for a long time, you need to keep your little rug rats entertained so they won’t get bored. Have some activity or sticker books, small toys, and some crayons stashed away in your car to keep them occupied until you arrive at your destination.

Extra clothes

When you have little kids, expect to have some unintentional spills to happen along the way. So, keep a change of clothes at hand. Put them in a handy tote bag and store them in your trunk.

For pets

In case you also need to bring your furry, four-legged family members, be sure to have some extra items for your pets like a food and water bowl, a leash, pooper scooper, and waste bags.

Are there other essential items you keep in your car? We’d love to know. Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Fix Your Finances After A Workplace Injury

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Workplace injuries are a common emergency situation many people find themselves in, even if you’re living a nomadic remote working lifestyle. It’s estimated that roughly 374 million non-fatal injuries and illnesses occur in the workplace every year. These can result in expensive medical bills, disability, and the inability to work. If you have a family, your priority is to look after them, but this can prove stressful, especially if you’re no longer earning a fixed income.

Luckily, there are many things you can do! Here’s a rundown of some of the most helpful tips so that you don’t have to worry about finances while you’re recovering from your injury.

Apply For Worker’s Compensation

In Australia, you can apply for worker’s compensation if you’re injured at work. According to the Worksafe website, an injury is defined as a personal injury that arises out of, or in the course of, employment if the employment is a significant factor to the injury.

You’ll be covered for things such as lost wages, hospital expenses, and rehabilitation treatments to help you get back on your feet.

What If You Can’t Go Back To Work?

It might happen that you’re not able to return to work, such as if you lost your arm and won’t be able to do your work without it. You could find yourself without a job, and your worker’s compensation will eventually run out. This is a stressful prospect, but it doesn’t have to make you feel helpless. There are still things you can do.

A) Contact Your Insurance Company

Does your insurance policy state that your bills would be covered if you were injured and unable to work, or that your income would be replaced? Check it out! For instance, Income Protection will replace some of your income if you can’t work. According to MoneySmart.gov.au, there are different Income Protection policies that offer benefits, but you’re likely to get cover for up to 75 percent of your gross income for a maximum time period stipulated, such as two or more years.

If you’re disabled after the accident, Total And Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance can cover various costs related to your disability, such as rehabilitation costs as well as debt repayments or the cost of living. Insurance policies can therefore be a huge help after a work-related injury.

B) Consult With An Attorney

According to attorneys Tait and Hall, anyone who’s experienced a personal injury can gain justice for it. An attorney can help you in various ways, such as if your insurance claim is denied or your employer isn’t communicating with you during this stressful time. Sadly, some employers try to get out of taking responsibility for injuries or illnesses that occur to their employees at work, which is why it’s essential to get a professional who can help you navigate this scary and foreign territory.

C)  Consult With Your Employer

If you could still do some aspects of your job in spite of your disability or illness, speak to your employer about your employment options. For instance, if your job requires you to write or do accounting work, you could do this anywhere as long as you have a laptop and internet connection. These jobs enable you to work remotely, which is especially beneficial if you can’t drive anymore due to your injury. Working from home would ensure you continue to earn an income in spite of your illness or injury.

When you get injured or ill due to work, it can be devastating and lead to a great deal of financial stress. By gaining control of your finances and achieving some financial support, you can help yourself and your family through this trying time.

3 Major Benefits of Educational Vacations with Kids

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Planning where to go on a family vacation is always a major undertaking. While you want to go somewhere the kids won’t be bored silly, you also want to take a much-needed break that you so deserve after all the hard work you’ve put in this year. Actually, you can accomplish all that and so much more if you plan an educational vacation with the kids. There are at least three major benefits of educational vacations, but when you stop to think about it, you’ll find many more as well!

1. Real Quality Time Spent Together

One of the great things about educational vacations is that you really need to spend time with the kids. Instead of going to a beach where the kids will play in the sand and wade on the shore while you sip tropical drinks and get that tan you’ve been looking forward to all year, you will have to actually talk to your kids. Don’t think that just because you are visiting Independence Hall, the Statue of Liberty, or the Space Needle in Seattle that your kids will not be entertained.

These historic sites have been thrilling students, not just Norwich University master in history grad students, but kids of all ages, for many years. Even if you follow a tour guide around, you will find that your kids have plenty of questions and will babble your ears off in the process. What better way to spend quality time with your kids than looking at our heritage together and talking about how it impacts our lives today?

2. An Up-Close Look at History

In fact, just imagine that someday your kids might look back on this vacation as the inspiration for earning that advanced degree in history at Norwich University. It is one thing to study history and world events in a textbook, but it is something else altogether when you get an up-close look at the places where history was made. Sometimes it feels like we are letting our own history pass us by in this digital age, but a family vacation to some of the most important historic destinations can ground us for just a few moments in time.

3. Learning to Appreciate the Diversity of Other Cultures

Another way in which an educational vacation can benefit our children is to show them the cultural diversity of the peoples living on this small (and getting smaller!) planet upon which we live. Sometimes it only takes a trip to San Francisco’s Chinatown or a day in Little Havana (Miami) to see that our nation is comprised of people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Instead of learning to fear and hate other people who differ culturally from our way of life, we can learn to appreciate the beauty and diversity each culture adds to this nation.

There are just so many educational places to visit and lessons to be learned that you will probably want to do this very same thing again next year, and the year after that. You can always take a weekend trip to the beach or an extended weekend camping, but how often do you actually get to go on vacation that demands you spend quality time talking together? This is that chance, so use it wisely – a vacation your kids will remember for many, many years to come.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!