3 Kids and Us

Kids and Technology: How to Handle it

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Technology can be extremely useful and convenient, and as time goes on, it seems like it is getting more and more innovative. We’ve gotten inventions like electric cars, instant customer services such as the kind at Votacall, smartwatches, and much more. Our kids are no strangers to these technological advancements, but the line between restricting their access and allowing full control can be blurry in these regards.

Here are some popular pieces of technology with today’s children and teens and how you might want to go about handling them.

Phones

Because most kids these days can’t go a minute without being by their phones, it’s natural that parents would be concerned about their screen time. Depending on their age and level of maturity, you may even want to wait until getting them a phone in the first place. This will depend on your personal opinion, but most experts agree that waiting to get a smartphone for your child until they reach the ages of eleven and thirteen is appropriate.

Then you have to remain aware of just how often they use it and what they’re using it for. You may want to set restrictions such as no phones at the table, past a certain evening hour, or using parental restrictions on certain apps for younger kids. As long as you’re paying the phone bill, it’s all up to you, but conveying a certain amount of trust in them while also being aware that they are still a child will go a long way.

Video Games

Kids love video games. It’s a way for them to unwind after a long day at school, play online with their friends, and engage in an interactive hobby like no other. However, gaming, just like anything else, can turn into an addiction like being on your phone, eating junk food, or watching TV. It is completely fine to let them play games with their friends or alone, but limiting the amount they play within a single day or week—within reason—might be required if you find them shut up in their room for hours at a time each day.

For younger kids, you also need to be aware of the type of game their playing. Some games may be inappropriate for their age group, as is indicated on the front cover’s rating. Other games may be filled with spammy microtransactions that take advantage of players and get them to pay ludicrous amounts of money for digital goods. If they want a new game, take the time to do a quick search and see if it’s something you’re comfortable with them playing.

Television

Even if your child doesn’t have a phone yet or isn’t really into video games, they’ll likely be watching television at some point. There’s nothing wrong with letting your child watch cartoons and movies, but if that’s all they’re doing, you might have a problem. It can be easy for kids to want to wake up on Saturdays and just watch TV all day, or for teenagers after school to retreat to their rooms each night and binge Netflix or Hulu for hours on end.

Making sure they are actually engaging in something other than television is the main concern, not so much that they are actually watching TV. As long as they are spending some time outside, hanging out with their friends and the family, doing their homework, and taking on additional hobbies, letting them watch the occasional show isn’t a big deal.

Mutual Understandings

At the end of the day, how you raise your kids in regards to technology is completely up to you, and reaching a reasonable, mutual understanding with your child is important. You may want to play it a little stricter, a little looser, or somewhere in the middle, but as long as your kids are growing up into good people and you are happy with it, that’s all that matters.

Easy School Lunch Ideas Your Child Will Actually Eat

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Packing your child’s lunch shouldn’t be stressful, but for many busy moms, it is just one more task that needs to be done on a busy morning. While adults can easily prepare lunch for the week using a meal prep service like Lean Kitchen, little ones are usually pickier and require smaller, fresh options for each day of the week. Whether you’re packing a lunch for school, daycare, camp, or anywhere else your child might be headed for the day, it is important to pack enough food that will keep them full, while also preventing food waste by only packing what they will eat. If you’re looking for some new ideas for school lunches that your child will actually eat, keep reading!

1. Sandwiches

You are likely already packing some kind of sandwich for your child’s lunch since they are a relatively quick and inexpensive meal option. The great thing about sandwiches is that they are often kid-friendly, with ingredients that even the pickiest eaters like or can easily modify. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a classic, but if your child is tired of eating them, you could also try:

  • Hummus and veggies
  • Cream Cheese (add salmon for protein if your child likes it)
  • Cold cuts – ham, roasted chicken, and turkey sandwiches are all high in protein and will keep your child full for the rest of the school day!

2. Filling Sides

In addition to a sandwich or other “entree,” be sure to give your child a filling side dish. This could include some kind of rice or pasta dish depending on the entree, or a cheese and meat spread. You could also try:

  • Chips and salsa
  • Salad
  • Veggies (broccoli, miniature corn cobs, carrots, and cauliflower are all filling options that most children like, and can be eaten cold)

3. Snacks

Once your child has been given a filling and healthy entree and side dish, it is time to pack snacks that they will enjoy. Popular and filling snacks include:

  • Pretzels – try a soft pretzel cut into bite-sized pieces for a fun take on this classic snack
  • Apples and peanut butter (or chocolate/hazelnut spread)
  • Fruit Slices
  • Crackers

4. Dessert

Reward your child for eating a healthy lunch and give them a fun snack to look forward to with dessert. This could include:

  • Cookies
  • A slice of cake or pie
  • Fruit salad
  • Mini chocolate bars

5 Underrated Rides at Disneyland

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When planning a family vacation to Disneyland, making your itinerary can feel overwhelming. With countless activities including rides, games, and world-famous restaurants, there is more than enough to do at Disneyland throughout the duration of a short trip. While you’ll want to be sure not to miss famous attractions like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there are also countless underrated attractions that many travelers miss during a busy day at the park. Whether you’re planning your children’s first Disneyland vacation or jetting off on an Access Global flight to the park for the 5th time, here are a few underrated rides that many people miss.

1. Storybook Land Canal Boats

If you are a fan of classic Disney movies, this lesser-known attraction was made for you. Hop on an open-air boat and visit miniature homes and villages from your favorite classic Disney films, such as Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella.

2. Mark Twain Riverboat

If you are searching for some much-needed peace and quiet amidst the hustle and bustle of a busy day at Disneyland, the Mark Twain Riverboat is just the ride for you. Take a slow and relaxing journey through the Rivers of America on a replica of a Missippi Riverboat.

3. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Located near Splash Mountain, this ride rarely has a long wait due to its close proximity to one of the park’s most popular (and frequently busy) attractions. This classic dark ride is family-friendly and is the perfect place to cool down on a hot summer day.

4. Tarzan’s Treehouse

This interactive playground is the perfect place for kids to release some energy while parents rest. Due to its slightly hidden location in the park, it is rarely busy, making it another great spot to cool off and decompress during a busy day while still allowing your kiddos to have fun playing alongside one of their favorite Disney characters.

5. Snow White’s Scary Adventures

This classic dark ride lives up to its name and is actually quite scary for young children. Dark rooms, loud noises, and scary imagery make this attraction creepy for riders of all ages, yet are often overlooked in favor of more notable or traditionally thrilling rides. If you want a quick thrill without a long wait, be sure to check out this ride.

3 Beauty Tips for Busy Moms

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For busy moms, it can seem impossible to complete a full beauty routine that helps you look and feel your best. Complicated skincare and multi-step makeup routines might be out of the question for you when getting ready for work or in between obligations with your kids, which can result in you lacking confidence throughout the day. While it’s true that no one needs an extravagant hair or makeup routine to look beautiful, taking the time to complete the ritual of getting ready can be a means of self-care, and, let’s be honest, when you look good, you feel good. Whether you are looking into medical weight loss at Northwest Surgery Center or just want a few ways to make your normal routine go quicker, there are ways for even the busiest moms to improve confidence while taking steps towards self care.

Here are some ways to simplify your beauty routine, so you can look good and make it out the door in time  – even on your busiest days.

1. Use Multipurpose Products

Using beauty products that serve more than one necessary purpose can save you time (and money). For example, a moisturizing primer does the job of two important things: hydrating your skin and giving the rest of your makeup staying power. Tinted moisturizer can give you a boost of hydration and replace foundation,  and some of them come with SPF, so you can skip that step as well.

2. Style While You Sleep

To cut down on styling time in the morning, use a tool that will style or set your hair overnight. For easy overnight curls, try putting your hair in rollers or a heatless curling device before bed. If your hair is straight or already in the style you desire, put it in a silk bonnet or low ponytail to protect it while you sleep. All you will need to do is take out the tool and give your hair a quick brush in the morning, and you’ll be ready to go! Plus, this will give your hair a much needed break from heat styling, making it healthier over time.

3. Take Your Morning Routine on the Go

If you struggle to find the time to get ready in the morning alongside all of your other responsibilities, you are not alone. If you commute via public transportation or a carpool, or you have downtime once you get to the office in the morning, consider packing a few products to take with you. Getting ready on the way or once you are at work is a great way to maximize your time and ensure you can do everything you need.

5 Self Care Ideas for Busy Moms

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For busy moms, it can often feel like there are not enough hours in a day to get everything done. Even more so, many moms are not in the habit of actively prioritizing self-care, as they spend so much time caring for others in their household and making sure everyone else’s needs are met that they forget to meet their own. When your schedule is packed and you are stressed trying to figure out how to get all of your errands, chores, work, and more done, it’s safe to assume that the last thing you are thinking about is how to pamper yourself. Although it can feel difficult to manage, self-care is even more important to those who are frequently operating on a  busy schedule, as caring for yourself is a necessary part of relaxing and recharging so you can feel less stressed as you take on the day.

If you are a busy mom who cannot seem to squeeze in time for self-care in your busy schedule, don’t worry – here are 5 easy ways that you can care for yourself even on your busiest days.

1. Get Moving

Squeezing in even the smallest workout can have many benefits for your mental and physical health. If you don’t have time to hit the gym, go for a walk around the neighborhood, or do an at-home guided workout on YouTube after you put the kids to bed.

2. Treat Yourself

What is something that would make you feel good about your physical appearance? Whether it’s having a shopping spree at Ulta or getting weight loss injections from RCMC, changing up your physical appearance can give you a major confidence boost.

3. Journal

No matter how little time you have throughout the day for extra activities, you can always take a few minutes before bed to journal. Getting your thoughts out on paper is a great de-stressor and can help clear your mind out before you sleep so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

4. Make Time For Friends

When you’re overwhelmed with a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the motivation to break out of your routine and see friends, leading to feelings of isolation and stress. Taking just a few minutes each week to spend time with friends, whether it’s going out to lunch or talking on FaceTime, will improve your mood and your overall mental health.

5. Find a Comfort Show

Finding a TV show or podcast that brings you comfort and makes you happy is a great way to boost your mood, and this is something that you can enjoy at any time. Throw on your favorite show while you do chores around the house, make dinner, or wind down before bed.

Caring for yourself is important not only for you but for your entire family. It is important that you give yourself time to recharge and unwind so that you can be the best version of yourself for your kids and loved ones.

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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!