3 Kids and Us

Tips for Keeping Kids of All Ages Safe Both In and Out of the Home

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Wouldn’t it be nice if you could place your child in a plastic bubble that would protect them from every danger or threat until they’re an adult? Unfortunately, keeping your kids safe is not that easy, and when you have multiples of varying ages, it gets even harder. From electrical outlets and exposed staircases to social media use and home invasions, there are a lot of things that are unsafe for your children both inside and outside of the home. Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimize the risks and keep your kids safe at all times.

Keeping Kids Safe in the Home

It’s a common assumption that the home is one of the safest places to be. Though it is safer than most, there are safety aspects that need to be considered.

Babyproofing – For those who have infants, one of the first courses of action to safeguard the home is to babyproof the house. This is the process of going around the entire home and locking, blocking, and securing things that could cause harm to a curious baby on the go. This includes locking medicine and kitchen cabinets, covering outlets, and installing gates at the top of staircases to prevent baby from falling.

Home security – Home security systems are a must to keep your home safe. While most might look at them as nothing more than alarms when burglaries happen, home security systems such as ADT monitoring are ideal for parents of children who spend time at home alone. With smart features like cameras and smartphone access, parents can observe teenagers and any company they might have in the home to ensure they’re safe and sound.

Pool Safety – For families who have a pool in the backyard, certain measures must be taken to ensure the kids have fun while being safe. Teaching pool rules such as no running and diving along with installing security features like a safety gate to ensure kids don’t try to enter the pool without your permission are all ways to make sure they’re safe and sound.

Internet Safety – Technology is not only for adults. Children use the internet all the time unaware of the many dangers that lurk there. Talk with your children about the use of internet. Discuss the importance of not disclosing personal information, not accessing inappropriate sites, and set rules as to when internet usage is allowed. Other measures include setting parental controls on devices and monitoring your child’s usage for any red flags.

Keeping Kids Safe Outside of the Home

The world around us is a lot more dangerous than the home. Here are some ways to keep your kids safe outside the home.

Stranger Danger – It’s extremely important to teach your children about strangers and steering clear of them. Give your children safety rules such as staying with an adult they know, sticking to a buddy system, not accepting gifts or bribes, and to know when and how to call for help.

Peer Pressure – When your child becomes a teenager peer pressure will become a huge part of their lives as they try to fit in with their friends. It is important to have a talk with your teen about being pressured into doing things they know are wrong. Try to encourage them to hang with likeminded friends and also set rules and curfews.

Travel Safety – Traveling with kids can be fun but it can also height security risks. Before a trip talk with your kids about being safe. Discuss things like staying close to mom and dad and where to turn if they get lost. Investing in ID bracelets or cards as well as installing location apps on your older children’s phones will also help in the event of an emergency.

There is a lot in this world to protect your children from. While you may not be able to shield them from everything that happens in their life, you can set the foundation that will minimize their chances of being injured or harmed in any way. Talk with your children frequently about the importance of being safe in an age appropriate way. Set firm rules and consequences as well as put some of the safeguards discussed above into place and you should have a much easier time sleeping at night knowing they’re all safe.

Ways to keep up with new toy releases without breaking the bank

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It can be difficult to stay ahead of trends in children’s toys, which can seem like they’re there just to pick holes in your parenting. Do you hand over big money every time a new toy comes out and risk getting trapped in a cycle of big payments and new crazes that you can’t afford, or do you make your child go without and risk them missing out on something that all their friends have.

This list hopes to show you some creative ways to get the best of both worlds and avoid that feeling of dread when a new advert comes on TV for the next must-have. Chances are that other parents feel the same way, so hopefully there are some tips on this list you can put into practice.

Test the waters

Toy Library – Try a toy library near you where there are toys for all ages that you can spend time with at the library, or borrow for a set time rather than buying. You might even want to use the toy library to let the kids try out the toys they’ve been wanting before deciding whether to make the commitment to buy it. If you’re going there to try out a specific toy, you may want to call ahead to check they have it before making the journey down there. If they don’t have it, why not try out some other toys there that might be even better!

Friends – If they regularly play with a toy at a friend’s house, do they really need to have their own? See if they can borrow the toy for a while, but make sure they understand that it needs to be returned in the same condition it was given to them. If their friend is reluctant to lend it, try inviting the friend over and ask them to bring the toy.

Arrange toy swaps

Host a swap night –  If you’re friendly with a good number of parents, try getting together to trade toys that your children no longer use. An ideal scenario would be to have a group of parents with children of a range of ages, so the older toys can be passed to the next oldest and the baby toys given to parents with newborns etc.

Share the cost of toy-buying – If you’re particularly close with another family with children, like cousins or close family friends, try setting up a swapping system where new toys are shared amongst the families. You can alternate which family buys the toy and make the swaps every time the families meet, or you might see each other so regularly that physical swapping isn’t necessary.

Buy second hand

Hold on a little while – Try waiting until the toy has been out for a while, and you might be able to grab a pre-owned one for a cheaper price on eBay. Many sellers will keep the original box, so it’ll feel like new when you receive it. Make sure you check its condition before you make the purchase so you’re not buying something that’s broken or damaged  – especially if your kids are likely to be upset by any signals that it’s secondhand. If it’s a large item, couriers like Shiply can deliver these for you – but remember to factor delivery prices into your budget so you don’t end up paying more than what it costs in your local shop.

4 Easy & Affordable DIY Dog Toy Ideas

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If you have an active dog at home, you know that they can get bored just like the rest of us! Thankfully, with these clever dog toy DIYs from the folks at Rover.com, you’ll have the ideas you need to keep your dog entertained any day of the week. Keep them handy for your dog’s next rainy day indoors, long family road trip, or anytime you’d like to cut down on your toy budget and try the homemade route instead.

Boredom-Busting Braid

For this one, you can use just about any material you have around the house, like an old t-shirt, jeans, or kitchen towel. Cut your material into three long strips, knot off one end, then braid the strands together and tie off the other end. You can even soak the braid in chicken stock and pop it in the freezer to create an even tastier (and tougher) chewing session. Have 2+ dogs? Tie a few braids together to create a tug toy everyone can enjoy.

Sock It to Me

If your dog goes crazy for crinkly sounds, they’ll love this one—and it’s a great way to use a lonesome sock that’s lost its pair. Throw some kibble into an empty plastic water bottle, then put the water bottle inside the sock, tie a knot at the top and watch the crunchy enjoyment commence. Be sure to watch your dog carefully with this one, and switch out the toy before the sock or plastic bottle get too destroyed and leads to small plastic parts or sharp edges.

Muffin Tin Puzzler

This puzzle challenges your dog to work around obstacles and get rewarded. Place a muffin tin upside down on the floor. Sprinkle treats between the muffin cups, then watch as your dog works from every angle to get to the treats. For a twist, flip the tin over and place treats in a few of the muffin cups. Cover up some or all of the cups with tennis balls or toys, and then let your dog engage in an entertaining game of treat hide-and-seek.

Tennis Treat Ball

All you need for this one is a tennis ball, a sharp knife and some of your dog’s favorite treats—the smellier and crunchier, the better! Cut a slit in the rubber of the ball, slip a few treats inside and hand it over to your dog and watch them go to work!

Nectar Sleep Mattress Reviews – Top ways to get the sleep you deserve

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Sleepless and sick of it? You’re not alone, as many people don’t get the rest that they need. Creeping fatigue inhibits our ability to enjoy life, work at our best, and stay alert of everyday hazards.

You don’t have to be a slave to sleeplessness. Below, we’ll show you how you can get the sleep that you deserve.

1) Get a mattress that works with you

One of the biggest impediments to a restful night’s sleep lies right underneath us – our mattress. Yet, most of us passively accept a suboptimal bed due to the everyday distractions of life, money concerns, and not knowing whether a different mattress would be better.

Each bed is made in a way that makes them suited to different kinds of people. For example, stiff mattresses work well for stomach sleepers, while soft beds are recommended for those who snooze on their side.

What if you sleep primarily on your back? In this case, we recommend a memory foam mattress, as its properties make it stiff enough to maintain proper spinal alignment, but it is soft enough to be comfortable for most people.

What’s more, they don’t translate vibrations, meaning that you won’t disturb your spouse if you move around in your sleep.

Want to learn more? Reading some Nectar Sleep Mattress Reviews will enlighten you, as this company gets a lot of buzz for the memory foam beds they make.

2) Establish a predictable sleep schedule

Are you the kind of person who can’t wait for the weekend, as you are able to go to bed and wake up anytime you like? This constant shift in sleep schedules may be sabotaging your overall level of wakefulness.

Your body clock is not as flexible as your social calendar. If you don’t want to feel like a zombie cast member on the Walking Dead any longer, you need to establish some consistency in your sleep schedule.

This will not be easy – then again, no worthwhile change ever is.

Is your big concern is that you’ll drift apart from your peer group? If these people are truly are your friends, they’ll be willing to meet you halfway and hang out with you on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

If they mock you, don’t subordinate yourself by falling in line with their taunts. The world is a big place – find those who support your new life direction and don’t look back.

3) Stop computing in bed

It seems as if technology has encroached into every inch of our lives these days. Not all of it appears to be unwelcome on the surface, as many of us have become fond of perusing the web on our phones or laptop in bed.

You’ll want to break yourself of this habit ASAP, though, as this creates mental linkages in your brain that your bed is a space for personal computing.

To prevent this from causing partial insomnia, move all computer and smartphone usage to other parts of the house, like the living room or your personal office.

In due time, your mind will begin to see your bed as a place for slumber again, making it easier for you slip into a restful state of sleep.

Disneyland Paris The Destination Where Dreams Come True And Adventures Come To Life

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A Magical Kingdom that leaves many of its visitors happy and screaming its praises, Disneyland is a place for all to enjoy. The most visited and one of the most loved resorts in Europe, it’s held a special place in many people’s hearts. This location has provided 25 years of wonder and fantasy for people of all ages and has fulfilled many childhood dreams. It’s a living and breathing fairytale, a world where cinema and television come to life. From Mickey Mouse to Lilo and Stitch, Elsa from Frozen to Alice in Wonderland, you can find all your classic Disney characters in this magical land. Modern and technologically advance attractions and rides, ranging from fast to slow, are also dotted across this pleasure filled paradise, as well as extravagant lights a kaleidoscope of colours and sky kissing fountains. Let yours and your children’s imaginations be exhilarated, get your Disneyland Paris tickets in advance.

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Frontierland

Go on a wild ride around a rocky mountain with its imposing yet intricate structure and feel faster than lightning. Big Thunder Mountain, situated in Frontierland is one of the treasures that Disneyland Paris has to offer. Experience the mysteriously yet fearfully fantastic feeling of the goldminers of the 1850s. From dark caves to ghostly green lagoons this enchanting experience will leave you screaming for more. Permit the Phantom Manor to let you into its dark secrets and let your hair down in Pocahontas Indian Village, these attractions and much more can also be seen in the borders of Frontierland.

Adventureland

In Adventure Isle become a treasure hunter and allow Skull Rock Spyglass Hill to reveal its many secrets and stories. Suspension bridges, narrow pathways and spooky caves where danger lurks, all mark the land of this attraction. Decipher the mind boggling smugglers with your thorough map and be rewarded by all this land has to offer, or spectate the hanging lanterns and be illuminated with a deeper interest in this place. Adventure Isle is one of many amusements in Adventureland.

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Fantasyland

Fantasyland hosts one of the most enchanting sites in all of Disneyland, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth. This is the place where Cheshire cat sized smiles are worn and the impossible is believed. Venture into the rabbit’s hole and become one with this enchanting story. This comprises of a maze where you’ll be confronted with the queen of hearts and pop up card soldiers. There’s a satisfying reward at the end with a view of the whole of Fantasyland from Beauty Castle.

Discoveryland

You can zoom or cruise along in the futuristic cars on offer for riding in Autopia. Journey around the picturesque sites and be left feeling like a boy racer or a inquisitive traveller as you take in your surroundings. Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast is also allocated in Discoveryland and gives a greater exposure of this character from the Toy Story Classic to the point where it’ll leave you saying “you got a friend in me.” Come face to face with Zurg, Buzz Lightyear’s archenemy, as you fire your missiles. Let the infra-red lasers illuminate your inner hero as you fight to save the day. Hop into the cannon and take an exhilarating ride into space where you can have a first-hand experience of what life would be like for Buzz.

There’s plenty more you can get up to when it comes to Disneyland antics.You can enjoy the Halloween experience, where bewitching surprises and mysterious marvels come alive. It’ll leave you spooked but suspicious. Plenty of live shows occur each year to keep you captivated and entertain. You can venture into the Walt Disney Studio park and get a clear view of the evolution and history of this organisation. Get a hole in one on the Disneyland golf course or just grab a bite to eat, there’s plenty to keep you occupied as well as astounded in Disneyland Paris.