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7 Useful Tips on Raising a Healthy Family

May 21, 2018 by admin

Raising a family is something that often takes determination, sacrifice, and time. It can be tough to find a balance, but the juggling act tends to get easier over time, or you get better at managing it. Every parent usually hopes that they’ll be able to raise a family that’s happy and healthy. This often means exploring different ways to ensure they’re eating the right things, staying active, and keeping an open flow of communication. There are several other ways that you can raise a healthy family, but it’s left to you to choose a method that works for you. This article is going to explore seven different ways that you can raise a healthy family.

Make Nutritious Meals

There are several components of health to consider when trying to raise a healthy family, and physical health is one of them. What your family eats is key as it can affect them in both the short and long term. Nutritious meals are a great place to start which means you may need to put careful thought into the meals you’re going to give them and take time to do a little planning. Some ideas for nutritious meals that you might want to consider are slow cooker chicken tortilla soup, homemade tacos with your own special recipe, and spiced oven-fried potatoes to avoid the oil in frying. You could also try oven-baked almond fish sticks, light chicken Caesar salad, garlic chicken, and potatoes, as well as lightened-up mac and cheese.

Don’t be afraid to try new recipes with your kids which include all of the nutrients necessary in a balanced diet. In case you forgot what that consists of, it includes healthy carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre as well. You can also consider cooking together as a family to make it fun as well as ensure everyone feels like they’re contributing to their healthy eating journey.

Spend Quality Time

Spending time together as a family can be a bit of challenge sometimes. This may be due to busy and conflicting schedules as well as tiredness after a long day for the most part. However, finding time to spend together is imperative when trying to raise a healthy family as it’s an important aspect of each individual’s wellbeing. There are several benefits of family time which include teaching children to interact with others, reducing the chances of your children getting involved in dangerous activities, improving their emotional well-being, and encouraging them to attain greater heights educationally.

Family time also creates the opportunity for you to bond and create lifelong connections with your loved ones. If you’re stuck in terms of ideas regarding what you can do for family time, perhaps consider designated family holidays which are tailored to each personality, planting and tending to a family garden, having devoted movie time, having a family sports event, having family art time, or a book club. These are all great ways to spend time with one another as well as learn more about each individual. You should also remember that you don’t always have to spend money just to have family time as a games night, walk around the block or park day are also adequate enough to bond and enjoy one another’s company.

Teach Them About Drugs Early

Education goes beyond the classroom and can often be taught at home as well as in school. For this reason, alongside sex education, your family should be informed and educated regarding the effects of drug use on their body, mind, and general wellbeing. People often end up using drugs for a number of reasons related to peer pressure, low self-esteem, or depression amongst others. You should inform them regarding the impact that drugs have on the brain such as straining the essential areas of your brain and leaving you vulnerable to picking up addictive and harmful behaviours.

In addition to this, it has been found that most drugs flood the brain’s limbic system with a neurotransmitter called dopamine, causing the user to enter a state of euphoria. Going into detail and explaining how drugs affect the brain can help deter your family from being tempted to use. If you do, however, notice any signs that your loved ones may be using drugs, it’s best that you look for ways to get them help and stress the importance of them doing so. You should read more about the negative effects of drugs and share this information with your family. Seeing as in 2013, approximately 24.6 million Americans over the age of 11 used illicit drugs, you should also know that it’s never too early to educate your children on the negative effects of drugs.

Make Exercise a Lifestyle

Staying active as a family can be fun and it’s also very beneficial for your health. If you have young kids, you may notice that they’re considerably active due to their frequent rushes of adrenaline as well as mandatory school activities. Likewise, if you’ve got teens who are keen on sports they may also be pretty active. Nevertheless, encouraging fitness as a lifestyle is a great way to make a long-term impact. Seeing as it’s always good to lead by example, perhaps think about coming up with family workout routines and dedicating a day every week to exercising together.

Some fun exercise ideas you should think about doing with your loved ones that aren’t too stressful include making time to play games that will make you move like hide-and-seek, musical statues, or hopscotch. You could also walk or ride a bike as frequently as possible, plan active family gatherings, sing and play during chores, and make yard work a lot more fun. This should make exercise less of a strenuous activity and a lot more fun as well as give you the chance to bond along the way. Try your best to be as consistent as possible in order to make working out as a family more of a lifestyle than an activity.

Encourage Honest Conversation

If you want to raise a healthy family, understanding the importance of open and honest communication is critical. As well as being physically healthy, mental health is also important, so creating an environment that people feel free to express themselves is key. Some ways to do this could be by having weekly family meetings where everyone is able to floor any issues they may have and discuss things that are bothering them. This can also help teach your children how to express themselves, not bottle things inside, and amicably deal with disagreements and misunderstandings. Asking your kids questions and showing a genuine interest is also a way to get them talking. Show them that you value both their time and opinion as a way of encouraging them to talk to you irrespective of the circumstances. Additionally, it’s an excellent way of building their communication skills which can be beneficial to them in various aspects of their lives.

Build Their Confidence

Confidence is important for both children and adults, so creating an environment that makes everyone feel confident and safe is key. There are so many ways to build confidence in your kids including speaking positive words of affirmation to them, always encouraging them and giving them the opportunity to be more independent. Other ways to build their confidence include letting them help out around the house, giving them the freedom to make their own choices in moderation, letting them take healthy risks, and also reminding them about how loved they are. Making sure their goals are within reach is also a good way to help build their confidence because they’re more likely to achieve those goals. Seeing as self-esteem is said to come from feeling loved and secure as well as competence, providing them with these things at home can go a long way in ensuring they’re mentally healthy and happy.

Teach Them Positive Values

Values often determine people’s behavior as well as their boundaries, so teaching them to your family should go a long way. Doing so can help teach your kids who they are and what they stand for as well as help put boundaries in place as a means of protecting themselves. Some positive values worth thinking about having in your home include kindness, hard work, authenticity, balance, boldness, and achievement. You can decide to write the values for your family somewhere that everyone can see it as living by them could result in a healthy life too.

Raising a family isn’t a job that can be done in single day. It is something that happens in an accumulation of days, months, and years and it requires both consistency and dedication, especially when you want to raise a healthy one. You will make mistakes along the way and sometimes your imperfections as a parent will show, however, the key is to be as transparent as possible and keep giving it your best shot. By doing these things, hopefully, at the end of the road, you’ll be able to boast of a healthy family.

Top Life Skills To Teach Your Children

May 3, 2018 by admin

Do you wish that your parents had begun even earlier to teach you all about life’s important lessons? As a parent, it is tricky to decide when we need to discuss important life events, such as death, money, divorce and even learning how to be a balanced and fair-minded adult, with our children, even more so as in today’s day and age they seem to grow up so fast. However, you need not worry. By beginning to talk through any worries and concerns that your kids have at an early age, and creating a safe and open space in which to do so, your children will be stronger than ever and ready to face the world.

If you are beginning to choose the right moment to sit down and have a conversation with your kids, then make sure it is when they are feeling relaxed and ready. Do not force your little ones if they are tired and cranky, as you may risk closing the door on an important opportunity. Equally, if your children bring up any questions themselves, then it is vital that you take this chance to begin having a dialogue. Make sure that you treat your little ones as adults from a young age, and be sure to enable them to voice their opinions and ask questions when they feel that they need to. If you begin teaching your kids to be vocal from a young age, then they will soon learn crucial life skills without too much effort.

Money management

Money is always a difficult and complex topic to talk through with your kids, and this will depend on the relationship that you have with finances as an adult also. Make sure that your children understand from a young age that money does not grow on trees! In order for your kids to experience the value of money and the price of things and goods, why not get them involved in your weekly shop from a young age? It could be as simple as taking your toddler to the grocery store and practicing counting up to ten or getting your four or five-year-old to help you pick items off the shelves. As your kids grow up and begin to have their own allowance, or income from a Saturday or weekend job, make sure that they understand the importance of saving. If your kids are looking to buy a new bike or outfit, then it will be up to them to manage their income and make sure that they have enough cash before they can splash out on a treat for themselves. You could try buying your kids a piggy bank so that they can save any dollars or dimes that they earn in a safe place. Take your kids to your local bank too, so that they can open up a savings account and see first-hand how money is managed. Money management is always a complex topic to discuss with children, so make sure that you start as soon as you feel that your kids are ready.

Love and friendships

An important life lesson to discuss with your kids, and one that they are sure to learn first-hand as they grow, is love and friendship. Friendships and relationships with others are wonderful and beautiful, and your kids should learn that with respect and tolerance these interactions will grow into long-lasting and cherished exchanges. However, make sure that your little ones understand that they will need to treat their friends as they too would like to be treated. When it comes to friendships, your kids will need to learn that they need to show respect for others and always be willing to listen and exchange thoughts. In younger children, this will become obvious when your kids have an argument in kindergarten over a toy or a crayon, whereas as your kids grow older, they may have a negative experience in the schoolyard that needs to be discussed. At home, make sure that your children always know that they are loved and supported so that they do not bottle up and concerns or worries that they may have. Encourage your kids to talk about their friendships, and they will grow up into well-balanced, loving and open-minded adults.

It is important too that your kids learn that not all relationships work out. If you are going through a divorce, then make sure that your children do not feel alone, and be sure to tell them that Mom and Dad will still love and cherish them the same amount. Kids often feel vulnerable and alone when any changes occur that affect their family life, so it is up to you to be the adult in this situation and ensure that no animosity between yourself and your partner damages your kids. Provide your children with the opportunity to ask any questions that they need to come to terms with this difficult period.

Follow your dreams

When it comes to teaching your kids about life, and the challenges that they will face, it is vital that you teach them to follow their dreams and do not allow others to put them down. If you want your children to succeed in life and enjoy a career that they enjoy, then make sure that they aim high from an early age. Even if your kid’s struggle in school, when they get home it is up to you to ensure that they have the support and attention that they need to get their homework completed on time. You could also try and support your kids during their downtime, by making sure that they can follow and play any sports that they enjoy and are good at, or make sure that they have the chance to learn a musical instrument or take an art class. Try and provide your kids with a rich and varied childhood, so that they learn new talents and skills that they can transfer into their future career as they grow and mature.

It is ok to say no

Your children will begin to experiment with saying yes and no from a very early age. However, as they begin to grow up and enter into their teenage and adolescent years, your little darlings may soon be saying no much more than you might like! Be sure that your kids understand and explain why they are feeling negative and want to say no – could it be peer pressure is influencing their decision? Make sure that your kids are comfortable with saying no too if they are not comfortable with a particular situation or experience. Learning to say no is an important life skill that will keep them safe and in control well into later life.

Old age

If your parents have been around as your kids grow, then chances are they will love spending time with Grandma and Grandpop, however, old age is a topic that many younger children will struggle to understand. Each and every family dynamic is different and special, so make sure that your kids feel comfortable and ready to ask you questions about getting older, what happens to the body and even mortality if they bring this up themselves. If you have your parents in your life and they are getting older, then it soon may be time for them to go into care or to live in a retirement unit. Sites such as the seasons assisted living provide a safe and welcoming space for residents with an action-packed social and activity calendar. Be sure to encourage your kids to have a rich and loving relationship with their grandparents and encourage them to discuss getting older and what this means as soon as they feel ready and able. This will also instill a good mental attitude and sense of care, consideration, and respect towards older people in general.

As your kids grow up and get older, it is crucial that you begin to talk to them about different life lessons, to provide them with the skills and knowledge to succeed during their own lifetime. Make sure that you do not force these dialogues and make sure that your children feel comfortable asking any questions that they want to. Money management is a vital lesson for your little darlings to learn, so be sure to teach them about the value of finances from a young age. Make sure that your children begin to understand the importance of love and friendships and make sure that they understand that they need to respect others so that they can build life-long bonds. Make sure that your kids feel comfortable saying no, and make sure that they understand the power of this word. Your little ones should also always feel driven and confident enough to follow their dreams so that they can go on into a fulfilling and exciting professional career. Finally, take time to talk to your kids about aging and old age, so that they understand more about this important and inevitable part of life.

How to find time for yourself as a parent

May 2, 2018 by admin

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If you are in charge of a busy household, it may feel as though you never have a moment to spare. Whether you are preparing packed lunches, completing the school run, or tripping over toys, there is always something more to be done. In amongst all of this chaos, you may find yourself pushing your own needs to the bottom of the pile. This is not a healthy decision to make. Below are four tips that will help you to turn things around and find time for yourself as a parent.

Find an adult only activity

One of the best ways for you to find time for yourself as a parent is by looking out for an adult only activity. This will leave you no choice but to separate yourself from your brood. Perhaps you could select a horror movie that you would like to watch alone in the evenings. Or, maybe you could visit brokedick.com to purchase vaping equipment that you can experiment with during your break times. Whatever you decide, the most important thing is that you are embracing your own independence. Of course you will need to be there for your family, but there is no shame in grabbing a few moments for yourself.

Invest in your social circle

In addition to spending time alone, you should also make an effort to spend time with your adult friends. If you are struggling to manage a busy schedule, you should endeavor to make friends with your fellow parents. This will allow you to plan your meetups around the school run and play dates. However, if you have a little more time to spare, you should think about reaching out to people who don’t have kids. They are less likely to want to talk about family matters. Instead, they will be able to provide you with a welcome escape from your usual topics of conversation.

Get your little ones into a routine

The next tip is to get your little ones into a set bedtime routine. Although you might face some resistance at first, this is the best thing for your entire family unit. For your children, you will be providing a sense of structure and security. For yourself, you will have the opportunity to plan your days ahead of time. This will improve the chances of you finding a moment for yourself. It will also help you to stay motivated, as you will be able to look forward to your upcoming activities.

Don’t feel guilty

Finally, it is important that you stop yourself from feeling guilty. This may require a little practice, but it is vital that you push through the pain. As a parent, it can be so easy to doubt yourself and to feel as though you just aren’t doing enough. However, holding onto your own identity is a fantastic way for you to set an example for your little ones. You need to teach them that it is possible to be part of a family unit, without losing the unique qualities that make them special. Lead by example and take pride in your efforts.

How To Stay Healthy When Your Kids Are Unwell

May 2, 2018 by admin

Sometimes kids get sick despite all the good you try to do to stop it from happening. As part of being a parent, you will naturally be there for them to help them nurse them through their ailment and get them back to full health as soon as possible. However, this can be tough if you catch the same bug that’s going around. It’s far better to try to stay as healthy as possible so that you can look after your little ones and get on with your work; here are some ways to do it.

Wash Your Hands

The idea of washing your hands after you use the bathroom when you’re cooking after you do anything or touch anything that is dirty, has been reinforced since we were all little. There’s a reason why our parents and teachers kept telling us to do it and why it’s probably a habit still today. Washing your hands can reduce the likelihood of you catching a bug or cold from your child. However, a quick rinse is not what we mean because that just doesn’t work effectively enough. You need to scrub your hands for around 20 seconds using warm water and soap if you want to rid yourself of the germs that could make you sick. For added security, you could use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer too; these can be great if you need to wash your hands and you’re nowhere near a sink.

Look After Your Own Health

The healthier your immune system, the less likely it is that you will catch whatever it is that’s going around. That means eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and taking vitamin supplements if you need to. It also means keeping yourself as healthy as possible. If you smoke or drink too much, then quitting is your best option as these things can seriously compromise your immune system. Further, they’re not a great way to be a role model for your kids. If you find that giving up alcohol is hard on your own, check out rehab facilities to get the extra help you need. It will be worth it.

No Sharing

One rule to implement when your child is unwell is minimal sharing, as the more they share, be that toys, clothes or food, for example, the more chance there is that you may catch the illness.

Less Cuddling

This is a hard thing to do, especially when your child is unwell, but if it stops you from getting sick, then it must be done. Viruses can’t travel beyond around three feet, so you don’t have to stay in a different room, for example; just don’t get too close. If your child needs soothing, then you can still be there for them, but aim to slightly keep your distance as this will help prevent you catching whatever they have. Tell them you love them as much as you can, and soon you will be able to get back to normal with everyone feeling great.

13 Things You Should Always Remember When Getting a Divorce

April 16, 2018 by admin

Sometimes, life is not what it is made out to be like in the movies. Though dream weddings can exist, in many cases, marriages can sometimes come to an end over time. There is a misconception about divorce that it must be messy and expensive, which it can be if you don’t follow the right tips to making it a smooth process. Although it can be hard to let go, people are beginning to see divorce as an opportunity to find a better life. When you have children, the process can become an infinitely more difficult one, where it is not just you and your spouse’s feelings at stake. Before you make such a life changing decision, make sure you consider some key points.

It isn’t the only option

For many reasons, people think that when you enter into a marriage, it is going to be an easy ride. This means that when there are dips in the time they have together, they can start to think the end is near when it might not be. Though it is true that divorce is sometimes the best option, it is imperative to note that it is not the only one. For example, there are many marriage counsellors you can see if you are committed to saving your marriage, but there are also times when you might see improvements after a rough patch. If your marriage hasn’t improved after you feel like you have exhausted the options, then you can think about whether divorce is the right path for you.

You’re allowed to grieve

When you have separated from a spouse, it is one of the hardest times in a person’s life. Despite this, many parents feel as though they don’t have time to process their feelings when there are other people who will be feeling the effects of the divorce, such as children. However, making it so you have no time to grieve may feel like a welcome distraction at first, but it will likely hinder your chances of moving on effectively from the situation. It will be hard, but remember to give yourself time to grieve over your old life, so that you will be able to see your new one emerging on the horizon.

Keep it quick

What puts people off about divorce is that it can sometimes be a lengthy process, which makes it harder for every person involved. It may feel as though you can’t let go quickly but holding on longer will make it even harder in the long run to accept what is happening. It is worth remembering that divorces can happen amicably despite the circumstances, which will make it easier to co-parent when you are separated but will also mean that any assets are split quickly and fairly.

Consider the financial costs

There are also financial reasons why you should act quickly when getting a divorce. Hiring a legal team can sometimes cost more than your wedding might have, especially if there are some financial disagreements that are tricky to work through. Not only this, but any joint savings you have may be compromised during the process. It is unlikely that you will be able to split your assets down the middle, which is why it is always a good idea before you commit to someone to sign a pre-nuptial agreement, so that in the off-chance divorce comes about, you are not left without any money after.

Choose a good lawyer

One of the best ways to save money during a divorce is by hiring the best divorce lawyer at a reasonable cost, and who has a proven track record. This is key, as there are many lawyers out there who will only be thinking about the money they can make during the hard times of separating spouses. If you research effectively, weigh up your budget, and go in wanting a speedy process, then you will be able to find one that suits you. In all cases, this lawyer must have your kids’ lives at heart throughout the process, as they will become a big part of the divorce agreement you come to.

Put your kids first

Putting your kids first is something that people forget about when getting a divorce, due to the stressful situations that can arise when you are separating from someone. This usually means that your kids get caught in the crossfire between two arguing parents, which can unfortunately lead to a host of problems later in life. For example, mental health issues can affect them more, and there are some children who will start to feel abandonment complexes if one of their parents decides to leave the family entirely. If there is one piece of advice you should always take before getting a divorce, it is that your kids can escape the process relatively unscathed if you out them first at all times.

Employ a children’s therapist

There will be times in your divorce when you are not able to be your strong self for your kids, especially when you are giving yourself time to grieve. In these cases, you should consider whether hiring a children’s therapist is a good idea, where your kids can learn to articulate how the divorce has made them feel, but also where they can speak to somebody as an outlet for some confusing emotions. This may seem like a big cost in the short term, buy our children will reap the benefits in the years to come.

Be careful bringing family and friends into the process

It is not just your kids you must consider during this time. In fact, there are other family members who will also be affected by such changes. This could be when your parents are close to your spouse, and when they could try to step into the process as a way of protecting you from harm. Although it is primarily you and your kids who will be suffering, you should not forget that this is a time of change for your mutual friends and family, who may feel as though they need to pick sides. Be careful about the details you divulge. Although it is important to have support and advice it is also important to ensure the de

Have a strong support network

Even if you can avoid bringing your friends and family into the middle, that doesn’t mean you should cut off your support network. This will be a difficult time for everyone involved, which means you will need emotional support to keep you going strong. Asking siblings, friends, and parents to be there for you is always a good place to start, as they can supply a shoulder for you to cry on in your time of need. Despite this, they could be dealing with some other commitments that make it harder for them to be there for you as much as they can.

Seek professional help

When your support network can’t be there for you as much as you need, then you should consider seeking professional help. This means you can learn how to deal with the process in a calm and collected way, while still enabling yourself to have a space to grieve in. Therapists are not only there to talk issues over, but to equip you with some valuable advice that you should take. Such advice will help you move onto the next stage in your life with fresh, new eyes, and with hope rather than dread. It will also stop any emerging mental health issues in their tracks.

Consider what you want

Ultimately, you should never be forced to stay in a marriage that is making you unhappy. While there are other people to consider, you can’t live your life for what they want you to do, as you will find yourself unhappier for a longer stretch of time. During a divorce, it can be easy to put it off for this reason. It will be hard, but if you take the leap to do something that makes you happy, you should not feel guilty about divorcing who isn’t right for you.

Don’t be selfish

At the same time, there are some people who put their own needs above everyone else’s, which can come at the cost of other people’s emotions. It is easy to assume that putting yourself first means being selfish, but this is not the case. For example, you may wish to start seeing other people, but you can hold off from this until after the divorce is finalized, or you will be making your chances of having a fair and amicable divorce slim. At the end of the day, your kids should be at the heart of this process, but if you know what is best for you, then this should be what is best for your kids, too.

Try not to rush into something new

Going on a rebound is one of the first things people do after they have split from someone they have been dating for a long time. Although this can be fun, it is easy to get caught up with excitement and make careless decisions. The key here is to learn how to spend time being happy by yourself, which will make you stronger in the long run. It will also put you in a better headspace, so that the next time you meet someone, you can have a better relationship than your previous one.