Mommy Life Hack

Blog

  • 10 Tips for Spending Quality Time With Your Kids

    10 Tips for Spending Quality Time With Your Kids

    Parents and kids often have very busy schedules. This is no wonder, given all the school and work responsibilities, everyday stress, and housework. However, this doesn’t have to be an excuse not to spare time with your kids. However, it might lead you to fear that your kids will be bored, throw tantrums, or that you’re all going to be too flushed at the end of the day to entertain your kids.

    How can I make our time with kids worthwhile?

    You shouldn’t feel guilty for not spending as much time with your kids as you’d want, as it’s not the quantity of time, but the quality of time that really counts. You can have a lot of fun with them, all you need is a clear plan and to make some small changes. With the following tips you can’t go wrong, so read on!

    Foster connection

    Make sure that you have an established channel of communication with your kid. If you can’t make it to have a short recap or conversation at the beginning or end of the day, you can exchange notes with them with short messages, or agree to send a note, or make a short phone- or video-call.

    Establish a family ritual

    This doesn’t have to be anything too elaborate. It can be a small daily activity when you gather around and exchange notes, or a weekly or monthly get-together where you put all other plans on stand-by. For instance, you can do some housekeeping together, exchange hugs, or make a weekly family dinner.

    Don’t skip meal time!

    Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it doesn’t matter. This is the time when you can gather, share a meal, and exchange views on the ongoing events. Researchers agree that family meal time is essential for bringing the sense of happiness and community to your home.

    Scratch technology

    It’s one thing watching a movie or cartoons together, or reading an eBook out loud, but try to minimize the time you spend in front of the screen. Forget about scrolling through social media, messaging, or answering calls. If necessary, put your phone on airplane mode, set your laptop on standby, and leave your kids tablet in the cupboard, and focus on the precious time you can share.

    Run a small project

    Have a thing you’re working on together, be that a small landscaping project, building a bookhouse, treehouse, setting up bird feeders and birdhouses, stone painting, creating a LEGO table, and invite all family members. Even better, when you’re done, you can have a public display of your work, invite the whole neighborhood, and create a festive atmosphere.

    Learn something new together

    Visit a local museum, landmark, a historic district, or archeological site, and make sure that the tour guide gives you as much information as possible. Learn a new cooking technique together, try out a new recipe, or watch a documentary with your kids. Take a foreign language class with your kids, and learn from them.

    Have a good laugh

    Don’t forget to put a smile on their face, and have your own routine of jokes and anecdotes that you’ll enjoy telling over and over again. When times are hard, this will alleviate some of the stress, and show that you enjoy the company of your kids.

    Reward positive action

    Good behavior should be reinforced, so don’t forget to reward it with a “Bravo”, “Good job”, “Awesome”. Also, don’t forget to treat your kids to their favorite meals and toys when they’re exceptionally good.Over time, they’ll be motivated to act responsibly and amicably without expecting an actual reward, but don’t take that for granted!  If you’ve promised something, stick to it!

    Playtime anytime

    You’re dropping them at school, or travelling to see a doctor, or taking your cat to the vet, or waiting with your family to catch a flight at the airport. There’s a number of games that you can play with your kids without toys. However, for toddlers and younger children in general, having their favorite doll, teddy, or action hero might serve as an additional reassurance, so make sure to have them handy.

    In addition, since kids love physical activity, make sure to take them to open door parks in the vicinity, or in case of inclement weather, to an enclosed fun park like Uptown Jungle in Peoria just a couple of blocks away.

    Show affection

    Don’t take your time together for granted. Tell your kids how much they mean to you, hug them, kiss them, and show them your love. This way, they are more likely to grow up into caring and loving individuals, with better self-esteem, a likeable personality, and higher emotional IQ.

  • 3 LDS Podcasts to Listen to On Your Way to Work

    3 LDS Podcasts to Listen to On Your Way to Work

    Do you love listening to LDS podcasts? Do you want help with Come Follow Me and home-centered learning? If so, you’re in the right place! Podcasts are a great way to pass the time, and to be more productive. You can listen to them on your way to and from work so you can be learning while you’re commuting. Here are three great LDS podcasts to get you started!

    Come Follow Me Real Talk

    This is a podcast hosted by Ganel-Lyn Condie and John Fossum. This Come Follow Me podcast focuses on having deeper conversations about the Come Follow me curriculum. You can also take it a step further and get at Real Talk, Real Life Through the Old Testament Journal as a supplemental tool to your listening and come follow me!

    Don’t Miss This

    Have you listened to the Don’t Miss This podcast? If not, you’re missing out. Don’t Miss This is hosted by Emily Freeman and David Butler. The main purpose of the podcast is to help with your home-centered learning. Thisalso helps with Come Follow Me! The podcast’s goal is to help you not miss special meaning in the scriptures. Don’t Miss This also sells a journal that goes with their podcast, for study. So, if you need more help, beyond the podcast, you can always grab a copy of the study journal, as well!

    Follow Him

    The Follow Him podcast is hosted by Hank Smith and John Bytheway. This podcast is perfect for you, if you’re a Sunday School teacher or teaching Come Follow Me at home. The hosts interview various experts about the Come Follow Me topics to give you more interesting supplemental content for your lessons. This could also be great if you’re focusing more on home-centered learning with your family. It could also be really fun to listen to with your spouse or older children to facilitate discussions, as well!

    The best thing about podcasts is that you can multitask while listening or journal and follow along. It’s totally about your learning and study style! What are your favorite LDS podcasts? Did we talk about it above?

  • 6 Crafts Perfect for Rainy Days and All Ages

    6 Crafts Perfect for Rainy Days and All Ages

    Having the kids home for summer vacation is great—most days. On those gloomy days when the rain is coming down in a seemingly endless torrent, though, it doesn’t take long for boredom to set in. And when the kids are bored, the day tends to become much less enjoyable for the grown-ups, too.

    Finding things to keep your kids busy on rainy days can be challenging, especially if you have kiddos in different age groups. While most of the activities your toddler loves aren’t so fun for teens and tweens, there are plenty of projects appropriate and enjoyable for kids of all ages. Lots of them are even fun for adults! Whether it’s working on a diamond painting as a family, making jewelry or tie-dyeing old t-shirts, here are a few crafts perfect for rainy days and all ages!

    Diamond Painting

    Diamond Painting

    Diamond painting is a relative newcomer to the crafting world, but it has quickly taken the industry by storm. The process is simple, but the results are amazing. Every diamond painting kit comes with a self-adhesive canvas that is preprinted, much like a paint-by-numbers canvas. Instead of numbers, though, each space has a symbol. Each symbol corresponds to a colored resin diamond. When the diamonds are placed in their corresponding spots, a shimmering mosaic image emerges.

    Diamond painting is a great project for all ages. It is easy to learn, and there are designs to suit any taste. From simple patterns well-suited to the youngest members of your family to complex designs that are more suitable for teens and adults, there are diamond painting kits for everyone.

    DIY Board Game

    Making a DIY board game is the perfect way to pass a rainy day. And the finished project will be perfect for passing future rainy days. What’s not to love? Encourage your kids to work together to put their own spin on a classic, like checkers, tic-tac-toe or even Monopoly. Alternatively, help them create a one-of-a-kind game. It does not need to be anything fancy. Give your kiddos some cardstock, construction paper, markers, glue and other basic craft supplies and they might just amaze you with what they come up with.

    Jewelry Making

    Jewelry Making

    Jewelry making is a good option for kids of all ages because it’s so versatile. For young kids, large plastic beads and string are great. Even dry pasta works in a pinch. Once they outgrow that type of jewelry making, they can move on to working with glass or stone beads and metal findings. Even if you have kids in different age groups, they can all work on making jewelry together using their respective supplies. This project gives older kids a chance to teach their younger siblings, too, and strengthen their bonds with them.

    I-Spy Bottles

    When you were a kid, you might have enjoyed searching for various objects in I-Spy books or engaging in a game of I-Spy while on a road trip with your parents and siblings. Share this timeless activity with your kids by making I-Spy bottles. In addition to being a lot of fun, these bottles are a great way to make use of those random little toys and game pieces that seem to always make their way in between the sofa cushions and under car seats.

    Start by filling up a plastic soda bottle most of the way with dry sand, rice or small beads. Then, drop in a few small toys and objects. Shake it all up so that most of the objects are hidden. Then, encourage your kids to roll the bottles around to try to spot different objects. Even older kids will enjoy the challenge of finding and identifying all of the hidden objects. You could even have each kid make their own bottle and then have their siblings try to identify everything inside. This project is super simple, and it’s easy to make it enjoyable for everyone in the family.

    Block Candy Dispenser

    If the kids in your family are into STEM, making a candy dispenser out of building blocks is a great rainy day activity. Put your young inventors and engineers to work on this project and they’ll have a blast using their toys to create something that is fully functional and dispenses tasty treats. Check out the full tutorial, including photos, here.

    Ice Tie-Dyed Shirts

    Ice Tie-Dyed Shirts

    Making tie-dyed shirts can be messy, so it’s often thought of as an outdoor project. There are, however, less-messy techniques that make it much easier to enjoy the project inside on a rainy day. With the help of ice, you and your kids can upcycle old shirts into one-of-a-kind masterpieces without leaving stains all over the house.

    For this project, you’ll need ice, a tie-dye kit, a t-shirt, a large container (like a baking dish or a dishpan) and a rack that fits over the container. Place the rack on top of the container. Then, wet the shirt completely and wring it out. Crumble it up and place it on top of the rack. Next, cover the shirt in ice. Use a generous amount, but be sure to arrange it so it will drip into the container as it melts. Open up the tie-dye kit and carefully sprinkle the dry pigment over the ice. Cover with plastic wrap or a large plastic bag to keep the shirt from drying out and let sit overnight.

    Finally, rinse the shirt with cool water until it runs clear. Wash and dry by itself (or with other freshly tie-dyed shirts) and your new creation is ready for wear!

    Closing Thoughts

    Don’t let the gloomier days of summer get your family down. Try one of the projects listed above to keep boredom at bay and make the most out of every summer day!

  • What Do I Need to Breastfeed My Baby?

    What Do I Need to Breastfeed My Baby?

    How do I know if I’m producing enough milk? How long should I breastfeed my baby? These are some of the questions every new mother has about breastfeeding and luckily, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. To make sure your breastfeeding experience goes as smoothly as possible, it’s important to find answers to these questions before you even give birth. Once you’ve prepared, follow these breastfeeding essentials and nursing tips from expert mothers to help you through each stage of your nursing journey with ease!.

    Getting Ready to Breastfeed

    While breastfeeding certainly comes with a learning curve, nursing itself is easy — if you know what you’re doing. Like any new mom, you’ll have questions about how to prepare for breastfeeding. You may be wondering whether or not your clothes will get in the way of feeding or whether it’s safe to breastfeed while on birth control pills. Luckily, there are answers to these common questions. A lactation consultant can help make your first time easier and more comfortable—and most insurance plans cover at least some lactation services. It might even be worthwhile to pay out-of-pocket for a consultation since breastfeeding helps newborns gain weight faster.

    For example, studies show that by six months old, babies who were exclusively breastfed gained six ounces more than that fed formula as their main source of nutrition during their first few weeks after birth. That might not sound like much until you consider that babies typically lose seven percent of their body weight in those first few days. They also tend to sleep longer between feedings. So that extra ounce could really make a difference over several days—especially if they end up losing weight due to sickness or other complications after they leave the hospital.

    Things You’ll Need

    Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it’s still helpful to have some tools on hand. You’ll need a place for your baby to nurse, such as your bed or a comfortable chair. Breastfeeding in public is generally accepted when you’re covered up so be sure to take a swaddle blanket with you for some privacy so that nursing isn’t a stressful situation. Many new moms will find it useful to invest in a nursing pillow and nipple cream for soreness during feedings. A breastfeeding schedule is also useful if you are trying to track how much milk your baby gets from each feeding and learn how often he should be eating.

    Here are other helpful items that some lactation consultants suggest: 

    • Lactation cookies
    • Lactation drink mix
    • Breast pump
    • Nursing heat pads to help relieve plugged ducts and also help with milk let-down during feedings.
    • These swaddle blankets for extra privacy whether at home or in public

    Tips for Successful Nursing

    The first few weeks of breastfeeding can be a bit of a learning curve. However, once you’ve mastered positioning and latch-on, it’s smooth sailing from there. If you’re ready to start nursing your baby but aren’t sure what tools you need for success, don’t worry. Here are some tips for successful nursing:

    • Positioning: Place baby with her back on your chest at an angle where both breasts are easily accessible, and where she won’t accidentally pull herself off with her arms or stretch too far forward with her neck. Putting pillows behind your back for support will also make it easier on your body if you’ll be nursing lying down on your side. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different positions until you find one that works well for you!
    • A good latch is important so that baby has a proper seal around your nipple. Cup both breasts with your hands while using one hand to support baby’s head. This maneuver helps ensure baby’s mouth is covering most of your breast rather than just biting at air.

    Nursing a baby requires that you prepare your body, so make sure you’re eating well, drinking lots of water, and preparing yourself mentally. Have fun with it! Keep an open mind and remember that breastfeeding is all about working together. If you follow these tips, your baby will be nursing just fine. Before long, she will be old enough to try solid foods and won’t need those extra calories anymore. Until then, enjoy yourself — and don’t forget the lactation consultant!

  • 4 Must-Haves for an LDS Family Night

    4 Must-Haves for an LDS Family Night

    Why should LDS families set aside time each week to teach their children? Because learning the gospel of Jesus Christ is vital to developing faith in him and in his church, and faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). What better way to do this than a designated family night? Here are 5 must-haves for your next family home evening:

    Something fun

    It’s important to note that while family night is traditionally based on teaching gospel lessons, it doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, it shouldn’t be! Instead of focusing on just reading the lessons, choose activities that appeal to everyone in your household. If you don’t already have some favorites planned out, here are a few suggestions:

    Have a small play to reenact the lesson from the scripture. Play a game of jeopardy or do trivia challenges. You can even make bingo boards to go along with the lesson plan. The idea is to make sure everyone has fun together as a family— while learning something at the same time!

    Something educational

    While the activities are really fun and sometimes the most memorable parts, that doesn’t mean your family nights can’t also be educational. Be sure to include opportunities to learn more about your faith and how it impacts your daily life. There are many things you can do with your family to make these special experiences educational, such as bearing testimony to them of what you’re teaching, inviting them to answer questions, and teaching your children about service. Even simple conversations can be educational opportunities if you’re willing to listen and learn from what everyone has to say. You don’t need to do anything formal; often just talking casually after dinner or spending time reading scriptures together is all it takes to create a foundation.

    Snack and treats

    Let’s be honest, there’s nothing that gets kids more excited about FHE than the treats. You can assign a child to be in charge of helping make the treat to get them involved or plan your own healthy snacks to keep them happy during the lesson. Try these healthy (but yummy) treats: fruit chunks with sweet cream or whipped cream, popcorn, chocolate dipped pretzels, Rice Krispie treats, yogurt mixed with granola and fruit pieces, etc. You can find lots of yummy ideas on Pinterest. If you have time, you can even make the snack theme be something from the lesson plan.

    Lesson props

    Family members enjoy having lesson props, especially when it involves crafts. For example, have them make t-shirts to wear while they’re studying their lessons. Keep in mind that your family might be different and you may need to get creative. You could even build a theme into your family home evening and have all of your propsl fit nicely with your theme. Maybe you’re lesson is based on Joseph Smith and you have everyone dress up as pioneers. Or maybe you’re reenacting Samuel the Lamanite with nerf guns. The possibilities are endless; just remember kids often don’t need anything overly complicated for it to be memorable. If you’re looking for a classic representation of your faith to display around the house one of these Christus statues can spark conversation and can make any lesson memorable.

    Family home evening is a wonderful time to strengthen family bonds and really begin to learn about our gospel. To ensure your family night is effective, here are five must-haves that will help you create a positive learning environment in your home: communication, fun activities, meaningful discussion topics, ways to focus on prayer, and ways to connect with other people of our faith. By having these essentials in place, your family can truly be taught about our gospel through family home evenings.

  • 5 Ways to Ease a Painful Injury

    5 Ways to Ease a Painful Injury

    Facing injuries stands out as an uncomfortable experience if you have to deal with lots of pain or aches. Because of this, you may want to find different ways to alleviate the pain you experience to help you simplify the process and overcome it. If you want to relieve body pains, you can use these five tips listed below.

    Alleviate the Pain Through Your Actions

    You should start by identifying ways you can alleviate the pain on your own. For example, you could apply pressure and a cold cloth to your injured area to help you reduce the pain and swelling. This helps you to treat the painful part of your body since you can use the cold to reduce some of the heat you face.

    You must find other ways to alleviate the pain such as not walking around as much. Many times, sitting still and sleeping can help you reduce the pain, so you should make sure you rest your body. Doing so will give you time to recover and overcome the injury.

    Get an Attorney When Needed

    Keep in mind the pain you may experience from your injury can go beyond physical pain. Sometimes, you may struggle emotionally if you need to pay for the injury through medical bills and similar costs. If you find yourself in this position, you should see if you can contact an attorney to help you receive compensation for the injury.

    If you got injured at work, you can hire an L&I attorney to assist you. The right attorney can look into the laws in your area, let you know the best approach, and help you out. Since this varies depending on the area you live in, you should review your options.

    Talk With Your Doctor

    Sometimes, you need to talk with someone if you want to find the best way to alleviate the pain from your injury. If your treatments don’t work and you feel lots of pain, you should get in contact with a doctor about the situation. Doing so will allow you to overcome problems and identify the best ways to address the issue.

    Doctors have plenty of experience helping people overcome painful injuries, so make sure you consider their advice. Doing so will help you identify the best approach to treat your injuries and overcome the problem with your injury. Luckily, you can easily talk with your local doctor to receive treatment.

    Take Some Pain Medication

    Depending on the severity of the pain, you can see if pain medication can assist you. There are many types of pain medications including over-the-counter options, so you can get some basic ones to help you with light or moderate pain. On top of that, some of those medications may help with inflammation as explained in the link.

    However, if the standard medication doesn’t help with the pain, you can get some prescription painkillers. If you want to get a painkiller, you must follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid addiction and other problems. Either way, you can use medication as a form of relief for certain types of pain.

    Seek Physical Therapy When Necessary

    Sometimes, you’ll need to get further help when you need to recover from a serious injury. Because of this, you should seek out physical therapy to help you care for an injury that could become a permanent problem. Many times, doctors will recommend you to a physical therapist if you think you could benefit from some help with the recovery process.

    For example, the physical therapist may have you work out parts of your body based on what you need to recover. This can include walking, lifting light weights, and anything else to help your body overcome the pain. Make sure you seek physical therapy if you see no physical improvement.

    Conclusion

    As you plan to ease the pain you feel after an injury, you’ll make the process easier by utilizing the tips above. Each one helps you overcome the pain in different ways, so make sure you take advantage of the ones available. Because of this, you should review each option, use them as you can and make sure you can overcome your painful injury.

  • 10 Best Family Board Games You Should Try To Have Fun

    10 Best Family Board Games You Should Try To Have Fun

    Covid-19 has struck has us hard, with offices closing and employees working from home, many industries and restaurants shut due to restrictions and dearth of customers and the fact that people have stopped venturing out unless absolutely necessary. With external activities taking a back seat, it’s starting to take a toll on the mental health of many individuals.

    On the bright side, many individuals now get to spend time with the families. Also, those who used to travel long distances for work now save a lot of time and can put it to productive use.

    However, sometimes it becomes boring too. So, for your help and we have gathered some of the best family board games that are easiest and most entertaining ways to have great time. There are many board games out there but we have picked the best for you.

    So, Let Us Know The Best Family Board Games.

    #1. Clue: It is one of the best classic family board game that everyone appreciates especially those interested in mystery. In this game, you have to figure out which of the character committed the murder, in which room, and the murder weapon.

    #2. Throw Throw Burrito: If you want to have fun with a family, Throw Throw Burrito is one of the silliest games that guarantees a fun time. You can play with anyone. All you have to do is collect and match the cards. The winner of each round will be invited to a duel in which they will be able to throw adorable foam burritos at one another.

    #3. Heads Up: In card games you have many choices and categories to choose from. With Heads up, you and your family will have great fun. Moreover, you do necessarily need to buy the board and stuff. You can simply download this game on your Smartphone and start playing.

    #4. Yahtzee: It is like Ludo, but Yahtzee is the advance version. you can play the shake, score, and shout game. It is portable and easy to play. Well, it doesn’t use actual board, but a score board and dice. You can play it anywhere and with anyone, no matter the age.

    #5. Rummikub: It is more like the card game, rummy, but it played with tiles and some joker cards. It can be played with 2-4 players. Rummikub will be one of the best additions in your board game collection.

    #6. Ticket to Ride: This is one of the best family board games you can choose to have fun with your family. In this game, players build tracks to connect trains stations across the United States. Player have to build longest track to win the game.

    #7. Apples To Apples: This is yet another cool family board games that can be played by both adults and kids. In this game, each player takes turns being the judge and drawing a prompt card, while the others submit their cards anonymously to fill in the blanks.

    #8. Sorrry: Another classic game ‘Sorry’ is the best family board game. In this game, you have to you get your pawns to the finish line without being sent back to the beginning.

    #9. Connect 4: It is super easy game particularly designed for fun and does not have a bunch of complex rules. This is just like Tic Tac Toe, but little more challenging.

    #10 Operation: One of the best family board game ‘Operation’ is popular amongst the kids. It seems easy, but it is quiet challenging and would be fun to play with your kids.

    Conclusion

    We hope you have found the best family board games. Play and have fun!

  • What Benefits Do You Enjoy Out Of Hiring A Hot Water Service Agency?

    So are you wondering whether you need to hire a hot water service for your home? Well, let’s be honest here that you don’t have any other option left, isn’t it? This is especially true if the chilly winters are in full swing. You must ensure a proper and faster solution to the problem and this can only be guaranteed when you hire trained professionals for hot water supply..

    During the bone-chilling winters you will need plenty of hot water for your everyday household chores. So waste no time on checking your plumbing skills and don’t even try and think of repairing your hot water system at home on your own to save a few dollars because we recommend you to hire hot water service agencies from around town. If you are already into a contract with any reputed agencies then you know of the benefits of hiring professional services but in case you are looking to change the contract with your existing hot water servicing agency or looking to get into a contract for the first time then the rest of the article will come in handy as a reference for you.

    Let’s begin by knowing exactly what benefits you enjoy by hiring a hot water service repairing agency…

    An on-time faster solution to your problem

    When you hire a hot water service repairing company you are hiring professionals who have years or decades of knowledge in handling different types of water heating systems that are generally installed commercially in offices and industrial spaces or even in homes. Thus you can get a faster resolution to the problem. By hiring and involving experts in the job you get the most experienced people who will have a clue on the possible solution to the problems with your hot water system as soon as you state the symptoms of the hot water system.

    Ensuring maintenance and servicing in general

    In general most of the reputed hot water service companies in and around town will provide yearly servicing and maintenance contracts. If your existing water heater repairing company isn’t providing one then you can look for an agency that can offer you hot water heating repairing service along with also providing yearly servicing contracts. Getting into a hot water service repairing contract will help you to ensure regular maintenance, servicing, repairing, and inspection of the overall hot water system in your home and ensure smooth and efficient running. This will ensure the hot water system’s longevity.

    Ensuring the safety of the water heating system

    The water heater is extensively used during the winters. You of course need to ensure the safety of your water heating system to prevent any damage and the safety of your family. If you get into a servicing contract with a hot water service team then you can also make certain the safety of the system and your home in general and prevent any malfunctioning of the device such as leaky gas faucets and pipes, overheating of the system that may lead to fire hazards or even explosions and jeopardize your existence.

    Conclusion

    If you hire just about any plumber in town to repair your hot water system with any local parts then a warranty from the manufacturer automatically becomes null and void. Rather if you can get in touch with a reputed hot water service agency for repairing and maintenance then you ensure the warranty of the water heater system as they will replace the faulty parts with only compatible, and original parts sanctioned by the manufacturer.

  • 3 Gift Ideas for a Grieving Friend

    3 Gift Ideas for a Grieving Friend

    When a friend or loved one experiences the loss of a close friend or family member, it can be difficult to know what to say or do to comfort them. Oftentimes, you might not even know if they have suffered such a loss until it comes up in conversation. Being able to provide the right gift when the time is right can be very beneficial in helping your friend through their grieving process. Here are some gift ideas that may be appropriate for someone who has recently experienced the loss of a close family member or friend.

    Gifts they can use

    When someone is dealing with grief, it can be hard to know what gift to get them. Don’t just get something useless or sentimental because you feel like they need something. Instead, find something they can use. A gift certificate to a restaurant is more than just dinner, it’s memories and bonding time with friends. A new streaming service subscription means some me time in their favorite chair. A gift box such as these remembrance gifts from Laurelbox is curated with heartfelt messages and sympathy gifts for different types of loss.

    Gifts with memories

    The best gift you can give a grieving friend is one that reminds them of their loved one, not one that helps to fill a void. Gifts they can enjoy include a book about their loved one’s life, flowers from their loved one’s favorite flower shop, anything from their loved one’s favorite store or restaurant. Sometimes writing down your favorite memories of your loved ones and sharing them with them is all you need to do to remind your friends that they are still thought of and missed. A simple card saying, “We all have different ways we grieve our losses, but if there is any way I can help you honor your lost loved ones please don’t hesitate to reach out” can go a long way.

    Gifts for her

    If you have a friend who has lost someone close to them, there are some gifts you can get that will not only show your support but which will also mean something to her. It’s common to want to get a specific gift when someone is grieving, but it’s important to remember that grief is different for everyone. If you don’t know what kind of gift she would appreciate or what might remind her of her loved one, in particular, ask! She might find comfort in something simple and meaningful, like stationery with their loved one’s handwriting on it. Or she may want something fun and sweet to celebrate their life—in that case, try anything from wine or coffee mugs with his/her picture on it.

    Life is full of difficulties and everyone must endure tragedy from time to time. Whether it’s from illness, divorce, death, job loss or some other problem, friends and family members will need support to get through these tough times. Your support goes a long way in helping your grieving friend or family member heal. There are many gifts you can give to support them during their time of mourning, so take some time out of your day and think about what you can do to show them how much they mean to you. The gift doesn’t have to be anything materialistic but should instead be meaningful—this could mean something that comes from your heart or soul that only you can offer as an expression of yourself.

  • Back to School: 5 Tips to Help Your Kid Cope

    Back to School: 5 Tips to Help Your Kid Cope

    Getting back to school is an exciting time of the year, and it can be quite challenging as well. Younger kids can show a tendency to become more clingy or to show signs of separation anxiety, while older kids can be reluctant to jump back into the usual school routine.

    Some of the concerns could include the potential problems with the new teacher, fitting in with other students in the class, doubts about self-confidence and whether the schoolwork would be too difficult to follow.  Anxiety can show in different ways, so keep in mind that it can cause:

    • Headaches,
    • Stomach aches,
    • Problems with sleep,
    • Feelings of self-doubt,
    • Fear of separation,
    • Lack of attention etc.

    Fortunately, there are many ways to help your child overcome the difficulties and doubts. Read on to find out more.

    How can I help my child with getting back to school?

    Surely, you can recall your own school years with a variety of feelings. You can use that as a starting point, but keep in mind that your kid probably isn’t growing up in the same environment and probably wouldn’t recreate the same experiences you had in your own childhood.

    Here are some ideas how to cope and prevent anxiety from ruining the beginning of the school year:

    1. Make sure that your child is understood

    Always start by asking your child simply: “How are you feeling?” or “What do you expect?”. Encouraging your child to discuss possible situations, hers or his fears or doubts, should lead to acceptance. This means that he should have a clear picture that she or he is understood and that you know exactly what . This isn’t a small deal and make sure that set a stage for this before anything else. Also, make sure that you understand the concept of anxiety.

    2. Rehearse the school routine

    A week or two before school starts, make sure that your child sets the alarm clock right on time, to get used to waking up early. Also, teach your child to plan ahead, including school supplies and lunches. Make sure that your child chooses what to wear during the first day of school.

    If it’s hers or his first year, you can also drive to the school and take a walk around the classrooms, cafeteria, school yard etc. Also make sure to get most things, like school bag, books and lunch prepared well in advance, as this is known to give your child more time to catch a breath. Practice going to bed early and eating breakfast at home.

    3. Role play

    If your kids are anxious about returning to school, it’s not enough to just reassure them everything will be alright. If they’re worried about a specific situation that could occur in school, you can help by enactment. This can be a very useful technique, especially with new social environments.

    After a role play, it’s important to discuss different aspects of the imagined situation with your child. For instance, you can switch roles, give meanings to different situations, provide useful alternatives to aggression or rage, and teach how to balance between patience and curiosity. Equipping your child with strategies on how to act when put under any pressure, bullied against or criticized is likely to greatly reduce the level of anxiety and even turn it into a positive excitement.

    Younger children can use visual aids to show how they feel and what would happen on the first day of school.

    4. Encourage anxiety-reducing activities

    This could include reading an exciting book, enjoying a movie night, or a family picnic at a park. You should do this together, but also allow enough time for your child to explore and get some sense of independence. Another idea that could benefit your child is to visit a well-equipped indoor playground in Avondale that has enough amenities to satisfy your child’s need for physical activity and entertainment. On a playground, there are numerous possibilities, which can positively affect your child’s cognitive, motor and social development.

    You can make a meet-up with a couple of friends who will attend the same school and this will likely turn the anxiety into a positive anticipation.

    5. Focus on the timeline

    Make sure to monitor step-by-step as the first day of school approaches. Sometimes, anxiety can kick in on the first day. In that case, make sure that your kid goes to school with a friend, to bring something that reminds of home.

    If you have followed the first step, you have already established a level of trust between you and your child and you can give him cues. Remember, you shouldn’t put all that emphasis on your control, but your kid should feel free to tell you everything.

    Unexpected things can happen at school, but the point is to know how to name them and remain safe and sound. If anything becomes too overwhelming, it’s best to consult a professional.