admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

4 Ways to Make Your Kids Feel at Home at the Doctor’s

January 19, 2018 by admin

No matter what age your children are, going to the doctor’s office can be a stressful and nervy experience for many youngsters. Even if it’s just a routine check up, the next time you have to take one of your kids to the pediatrician’s could prove to be a tough day on the parenting docket. Fortunately, here are four steps you can take to mitigate against a stress-inducing day out to the doctor’s –– and help both you and your little one relax!

Bring Entertainment

The most excruciating aspect of any visit to the doctor’s isn’t the check up itself, the reflex tests, or even the dreaded shots –– rather, it’s the anticipation that can unsettle even the most fearless child. Plan for having to wait in the lobby for some time while at the pediatrician and make sure to bring along something for your child to play with. A book, iPad, tablet, or small toy are all good suggestions. Anything that holds their attention, without causing too much of a ruckus will serve to relax them, and allow you to fill out paperwork without distraction.

Consistency is Key

The last thing your child needs on an already stressful day are unplanned shocks to the system. So if possible, schedule each trip to the doctor to be as similar as possible. Find a pediatrician you like and trust at a location that’s convenient for you and continue with them. Your child will appreciate the consistency and will learn to trust a doctor the more they see them.

Be Transparent

If your kid is especially freaked out by going to the doctor’s, one way to help calm their nerves is to explain the different processes to them. Tell them what to expect at the doctor’s, why certain exams and shots are necessary, and how long everything is going to take. You can even show them images of different lab equipment like needles, pediatric blood tubes, and stethoscopes to help destigmatize any fears they might harbor. Remember, your child is perceptive; misleading them, or downright lying will cause more trouble than it’s worth.

Reward Good Behavior

Let your little one know up front that after you go to the doctor’s, there will be a treat in store for them. Whether you take them out for a classic like ice cream, or candy, or a trip to the movie theater or zoo is up to you. Just let them know you appreciate their cooperation and reinforce their positive behavior.

Borrowing Money When You Have Bad Credit

January 17, 2018 by admin

If you are having financial problems, you are going to want to tread very carefully. There is an opportunity to get yourself into even more trouble. There is a chance that you can go even further down the rabbit hole and find yourself in a situation where you are going to need to find a way to get money.

Maybe getting that money will mean that you are able to pay off your debt, the problem is that if you have bad credit, you might not be able to get that loan. The good news is that there are loan options you can get that will be willing to allow you to borrow money with a low credit score. The drawback for some is that the low credit score means your interest rate is going to be higher than you might see from a bank. However, looking for a personal loan for bad credit is an option on the table worth considering when few others exist.

You’re going to need to keep close tabs on what you owe and you should absolutely make sure that if you take out this kind of loan, the goal should be paying it off as soon as possible. The good news is that the companies who give out these kinds of loans tend to understand that cash flow is a problem. That means that the companies tend to give you loans that will allow you to not have to pay off at one time more than you can afford.

When you want to borrow with a low credit score and not have to pay higher interest rates, there is another way around. You can go get a cosigner that will boast a better credit score that can help you out. You will be able to get some money that will help you pay off what you owe and you won’t have to worry about paying the money back sooner than you would like.

These kinds of loans can be used to help you pay off your mortgage. They can be used to help you pay off your utility bill. The good thing about these kinds of loans is that there isn’t a standard reason for why you need it. You can take out one of these loans and go buy Christmas presents if that’s how you want to use it. Or, they can be used to cover the costs of an emergency repair job. There is very little doubt that you can use that money however you need it.

It’s important to know that you should use this money in a way which does not result in more debt. That’s just good practice no matter what kind of loan you are taking out because you don’t want to end up exacerbating your problems by going into deeper debt in the long run.

Most of these companies understand that they are going to be giving money to people who only need a bit of a financial boost. You should be looking at this as a kind of extra boost for a short period of time, but you should never start looking at these kinds of loans as a long-term solution. You need to get yourself moving in the right direction financially eventually. These short-term loans can help you get pointed in the right direction, but at some point, you need to get yourself moving in that right direction all by yourself.

Kids and Teens More Vulnerable to Sleep Disruption from Electronics

January 16, 2018 by admin

Source

One of our primary concerns as parents involves ensuring that our children obtain a good night’s sleep, from the time they are babies. In the U.S., recent reports show that children under the age of nine spend over two hours a day on electronic devices, with around 42% of children this age having their own tablets. In addition to raising concerns about the type of apps they are using/games they are playing, so much screen time has also recently been found to risk their quality of sleep.

Why Are Children and Teens More Vulnerable to the Effects of Screens?

A recent large-scale review of available research, published recently in the journal Pediatrics, found that children are particularly sensitive to the sleep-disrupting effects of electronic devices, because their brains, sleeping patterns, and eyes are still in the process of development. As noted by the report authors, when light hits the retina of the eye, it suppresses the production of melatonin – a hormone which makes us feel sleepy. Light extends the period of time during which we feel awake and alert, and because lenses are more transparent in young people, the effect of electronics on their eyes is significantly higher.

Psychological arousal is also more significant in children and teens: that is, texting friends, watching visually impactful media or networking on social media sites can increase their cognitive arousal.

Why is Sleep so Important?

Sleep is vital for a host of bodily functions; it helps keep anxiety, obesity, and fatigue at bay, to name just a few. Lack of sleep can lead to major health issues that are costly and challenging to treat, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. Although the majority of Americans enjoy coverage for these diseases, some medication or treatments may lie outside their policies, which can pose a great economic and personal burden for families.

How Can Parents Improve Sleep in Children?

Experts recommend specific steps, including:

Ensuring children do not spend time on electronic devices in the hours leading up to bedtime.
Turning off all devices at bedtime and charging them outside the bedroom.
Removing plug-in devices from children’s bedrooms (including computer games, televisions, etc.).

To improve sleep in kids, try to reduce their amount of screen time, especially in the afternoon and night time. Stick to a routine, ensure your child’s bedroom is cosy and dark, and if you do opt to give your children a snack before bed, make it a healthy one such as fruit or veggies, or snacks from a food group your child may have consumed little of during the day.

How to Be a Superstar in the Field of Social Work

January 15, 2018 by admin

Source

Donating to a cause isn’t the only way you can contribute to the community. Here at Walk San Francisco, we also value those who volunteer and take action. There are a lot of programs you can help too, plus you can make a bigger impact by getting involved in helping the community.

You can contribute your time, your expertise, and your energy to helping a great cause. To help you get started with becoming a superstar when volunteering for a cause, here are some of the things you need to know.

Pick a Passion

One of the best ways to get involved in community movements and social work is by finding a cause that matches your passion. When you are passionate about something, you are more likely to do great things helping that cause.

Social work can be challenging; it is often more challenging than working in a corporate environment. Picking a cause that matches your passion is also a great way to overcome the challenges and remain motivated throughout.

As mentioned earlier, there is no shortage of movements and causes you can support. If walking, saving the sidewalks, and helping younger students keep their safe routes to school is what you love, be sure to check out our Volunteer page.

Work on Your Skills

A lot of our volunteers – and volunteers for other social movements – are people with an incredible education. Top universities such as Rutgers Online are now making masters in social work online programs more accessible too, which is why there is a growing number of students and professionals entering this field.

These online MSW programs are designed to equip future social workers with the skills they need to thrive in any environment. You will learn to be more empathetic, study how you can listen to others and understand them better, and master other things such as project management and personal development.

These are skills that can be trained. There are also a lot of short courses and programs by non-profit organizations that will help you improve these skills. To be a superb social worker, you must maintain that drive to learn new things and be better.

Go Digital

We can’t separate social work from digital communities these days. Digital marketing – and the internet in general – is one of the best ways to raise awareness and capture the attention of stakeholders. Having the ability to promote movements, advertise activities, and get people involved beyond the boundaries of social media will make you a fantastic social worker in many ways.

More movements need to go digital and take advantage of internet marketing. More importantly, digital marketing is much more measurable – and cost-effective – than any other form of promoting the cause. Will you be that final piece of the puzzle that helps your cause go digital? We’re certain that you will.

The things you achieve as a social worker are things that affect the lives of thousands around you. Work towards becoming a fantastic social worker and you will have that ability to create a bigger impact in the society.

5 Profitable Home-Based Business Ideas for Nurses

January 15, 2018 by admin

Being your own boss has several advantages and as a professional nurse, you could reap some of those benefits from the comfort of your home. These advantages include creating your own schedule, choosing your co-workers and patients, and making a substantial amount of money in the process.

There have been more and more nurse entrepreneurs in the recent past and becoming one is easier than ever. Nurse entrepreneurs can take advantage of the huge and growing healthcare market thanks to their nursing education. Here are five great business ideas for nurses.

1. Daycare Center

A child care center run by a nurse is very appealing to parents because they feel their children are in good hands, which is actually true. A daycare center can easily be set up in your home and you don’t need a lot to get started, just a few small chairs, toys, games, table, and outdoor play items. In most cases, you may already have most of the equipment needed or you might have access to it.

With just a half dozen kids at prices ranging from $45 to $200 per week, you stand to make a lot of money. Even if you’re not a nurse, you could look at online doctoral nursing programs while operating a daycare center from your home and increase the prices once you graduate.

2. Senior Citizen Assistance

The elderly population has been on the increase in the recent past and they need assistance to accomplish several household tasks. With a nurse practitioner doctorate degree, you’ll have the skill and knowledge to effectively take care of them. A lot of people are willing to pay high amounts to have a qualified professional take care of their aging parents, and as a nurse, you are in prime position to fill this.

3. Birth Doula

The work of a birth doula consists of providing both physical and emotional support for couples during delivery and labor. To gain experience and confidence, you may consider to spending a little time with an experienced doula.

4. Run a Natural Childbirth Class

This is another field with a very high demand and high pay. You will need to do a little bit of research on the topic to ensure you provide quality services, but other than that, you should be already qualified. Please ensure your new business complies with your jurisdiction’s rules and regulations.

5. Health Blogging

You could also decide to become a health blogger and start a blog on issues surrounding the healthcare field. With your medical background and experience, you have a lot to offer and there are always questions about health that need answers. Once you write helpful and useful content, you will attract a lot of traffic and make a lot of money.

Conclusion

There are a lot of nursing business opportunities that you could start from your home and all you need is creativity and a consistent customer base. Take advantage of this and several other available nursing business opportunities to become your own boss and make a lot of money from the comfort of your home.