Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

Archives for March 2021

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How to Stay Safe on a Family Vacation

Family vacations are supposed to be a time of bonding and fun, but that doesn’t mean you should push safety issues to the side. This is especially true if you are traveling with children – getaways can often prove dangerous for those who don’t take the proper precautions. If you want a hassle-free vacation, then read on for how to stay safe while enjoying your time away.

Check Your Health and Travel Insurance

Before you board the plane, make sure every family member has health and travel insurance for full coverage. Health insurance is important because you never know when someone might get sick or suffer an accident, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Travel insurance will help in situations such as baggage loss and flight cancellations, saving you lots of hassle, time, and money.

Book in Advance

You should never leave your planning until the last minute when it comes to a family vacation. To make sure your plans work out smoothly, book your flights, hotels, and other transportations well in advance. This includes the little things like airport parking, too, so reserve your spot early with ParkOn.

One of the benefits of booking in advance means you can rest assured that everything is in place by the time it comes to traveling. Plus, if any cancellations occur, you have more time to book somewhere else.

Research the Destination

You should always research your destination no matter where you are heading. Some questions to ask about the area include:

  • What is the language?
  • How high is the crime rate?
  • Where do tourists usually stay?
  • Is it kid-friendly?

You should also make sure you know the key phrases in the country’s language to help you get around, such as ‘where is the nearest restaurant?’ and ‘please may I have directions?’.

Give Everyone a Phone

Knowing where your kids are while away is a huge priority, but if you do end up losing sight of them, you’ll be grateful that they have a way to get in touch. Even if your kids don’t have phones at home, make sure they have them in their possession throughout the entire vacation. The only exception here will be if they’re too young to use one!

Avoid Posting on Social Media

It can be very tempting to post your beach snaps on social media while you are away, but you should wait until you’re safely back at home to do so. Thieves use social media to figure out who is away from their home, and posting that you’re on vacation might make them target your house, which is, of course, something you must avoid. By all means, take plenty of pictures, but just wait until you’ve walked through your front door to share them with the world.

Talk to Your Kids

If your kids are old enough to understand safety, you should have a conversation with them about what is expected on vacation. Let them know the importance of staying close to you, keeping their phones on them, and staying clear of strangers.

Vacations are the perfect time to have fun and bond with your family. By keeping safe, you ensure that the time spent away is filled with laughter, entertainment, and memories to last a lifetime.

 

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Your Little Kid’s Room – Baby Nursery Interior Design

It is so important to create a kid’s space of a dream. A baby nursery is the first home for your little kid; so, your wish to make it perfect is not surprising. All things, which surround children at such an early age, have a great impact on their imagination development and worldview. A flawless kid’s room combines coziness, elegant design, and safety. If you are looking for this dream nursery, just follow dragonsofwaltonstreet.com.

Every parent wants to find a reliable furniture producer, which can satisfy all his/her preferences and requirements. A high-class company Dragons of Walton Street is what you are looking for. The Dragons facility has more than four decades of experience and a great number of gratified clients.

The choice of Dragons of Walton Street for your baby’s nursery interior design is an excellent decision due to the following advantages:

  • A wide variety of products. The Dragons Company provides nursery, bedroom, and playroom interiors for both girls and boys. Moreover, it is possible to receive special accessories such as cushions, wallpaper, fabrics, lightning, hairbrushes, etc.
  • High quality, durability, and safety. The Dragons team uses only expensive eco-materials for its furniture, which ensure the durability of every detail and kids’ health safety.
  • Unique designs. This facility is famous for its great collection of unique designs. There is an opportunity to select a thematic interior according to your tastes. The collection includes Vintage Transport, Terry’s Soldiers, Flower Fairies, Barbara’s Bunnies, etc.
  • Handmade artwork, gifts, and toys. The originality of your design is assured by hand-painted artwork. All furniture, including cot beds, moses baskets, waste bins, chest of drawers, etc., is decorated with thematic paintings. Furthermore, wonderful music boxes, toy cars, baby leather booties, and other gifts are available for you.

The Dragons team takes care of parents’ and kids’ comfort. The company gives a chance to get an original design, safety, and reliability for your baby.

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International Women’s Day: A Brief History

There is no doubt that women’s journey toward equal rights has been long and tough, but the efforts of women all over the world have brought fruitful results while the journey continues. To recognize their achievements and bring many women related issues to the spotlight, the world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8 every year.

But how the celebration of this day has started, when was the first official celebration, and how women all over the world celebrate their special day. Let’s find out!

How Did It Start?

The first time a proposition for women day was presented in 1909 by the Socialite Party of America. It was celebrated on February 28 and was given the name ‘National Women Day’, the celebration came to honor women who protested against working conditions and demanded better pay in the 1908 New York garment worker’s strike.

The Spread to Europe

Then in 1910 the celebration of ‘women Day’ has spread to reach Europe. In the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Clara Zetkin (a leader in the German Social Democratic party) suggested that every year and on the same day all countries must celebrate ‘a Special Women’s Day’. The purpose of the celebration was to highlight women’s different demands.

Her suggestion was applauded by all women present at the conference, and for the first time Women’s International Day was celebrated on March 19 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland.

As a form of celebration, millions of women and men attended debates that discussed women’s rights to vote, work, and to hold public office.

Promoting Peace

In 1913 Russian women have witnessed their first celebration of International Women’s Day on February 23 that marked March 8 on the Georgian calendar. The celebration was on the eve of World War I and served the sole purpose of campaigning for peace.

Later, International Women’s Day was set to be on March 8, and in 1914 women all over Europe have expressed their solidarity and organized protests against the raging war.

Three years later, on March 8, 1917, and in light of the war, Russian women organized many protests against the war in what was later referred to as ‘Women Strike for Bread and Peace’. Due to the strikes, the government has granted Russian women the right to vote.

UN Recognition

On March 8, 1975, the United Nations celebrated International Women’s Day for the first time. Later in 1996, the UN stated their first International Women’s Day theme to be “celebrating the past, planning for the Future’’, while the theme in the following year was ‘’women at the peace table’’. Each year has a different theme as the celebration of Women’s Day continues.

2021’s theme was ‘’choose to challenge’’. It urges women to stand against gender bias and stop inequality. As International Women’s Day stated ‘’ from challenge comes change’’.

How Women’s Day Is celebrated Around the World?

International Women’s Day is an official holiday in many countries. While in the United States the whole month of March has been dedicated to women under the name ‘’ Women’s History Month’’. In Italy, women receive yellow mimosa flowers on this special day.

Many women around the world celebrate by organizing protests and marches to address challenges, express solidarity with other women, and call out inequality.

 

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NC Solar Benefits, Incentives, Tax Credits, and Rebates

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Are you thinking about going solar in the near future? If so, you’re not alone. Around 46% of US homeowners recently polled were also thinking about installing residential solar panels.

North Carolina is one of the best states to go solar, and there are plenty of NC solar benefits and incentives to help.

Learn about your options for financing a system, which rebates you might qualify for, and more below.

NC Solar Benefits

Why are residents in NC making the switch to solar energy? Here are just a few of the many benefits:

  • Reduce your impact on the planet
  • Lower your electric bills
  • Home value goes up
  • Solar is getting more affordable
  • Rebates and incentives

North Carolina also has a net metering policy. This policy lets homeowners get credits for any extra electricity their system generates. Plus, they can use those credits when their solar PV system doesn’t generate enough power.

Tax Credits and Incentives

There are two primary solar incentives for NC residents: the Duke Energy NC Solar Rebate and the 26% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Let’s break each one down in more detail.

Federal ITC

Homeowners can claim the Investment Tax Credit on their federal taxes. You can claim 26% of the cost of your system.

To qualify, the system must be installed during that tax year. The IRS calls this “placed in service.” Congress recently extended the ITC, providing a 26% credit for any systems installed during 2020-2022.

Currently, this credit expires in 2024.

You can learn more about qualifications and rules for the tax credit to discover if you’re eligible.

Duke Energy Solar Rebate

The General Assembly of North Carolina passed House Bill 589, Competitive Energy Solutions for NC, in 2017. According to the bill, Duke Energy must reach 6,160 MW of utility-scale solar on its grid.

North Carolina homeowners can get a $0.60 per Watt rebate on systems up to 10kW.

This rebate program has a limited capacity and is a first-come, first-serve situation. You may not be able to count on it for any savings. In fact, there was a website glitch that left many customers without a rebate.

Solar customers may be able to join a waitlist. Other than these options, there are other ways for homeowners to save on a solar system.

Low-Interest Loans

Another option for financing NC solar panel installation is to consider taking out a loan. There are low-interest loans designed to increase interest in solar energy.

Solar loan terms for NC residents can’t be longer than 20 years. These loans can’t have an interest rate of more than 8%, making them a viable financial option for many homeowners.

Check out Blue Raven Solar to learn more about the many incentives and benefits, and install your system before these rebates run out!

Take Advantage of Solar

Many of these incentives and rebates will go down or run out as the years go on. Take advantage of NC solar incentives while they’re still around to make sure you get the most out of your investment.

Are you interested in other ways to lower your impact on the environment or increase the value of your home? Check out our other home and real estate tips!

 

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How To Help Your Child Thrive in School

Your child’s school experience can set the tone for the rest of their life. Your parental influence can be crucial in shaping how your kid feels about education and their performance in class. Fortunately, it’s easier than you may think to help your child love school and give their best effort in all activities associated with it.

Know Which Assessment Methods the School Uses

Schools and educators rely on various methods to check students’ current knowledge levels and see where they need support.. For example, i-Ready math and reading assessments utilize blended learning techniques based on state standards. . It features an adaptive diagnostic method that facilitates teacher-directed and individualized learning.

If you’re a parent in search of i-Ready answers after hearing that your child uses that system, the teacher can give you specifics about each assessment’s length and what it covers. Regardless if the school chose i-Ready or another method for evaluating students, knowing about the assessments can help you prepare your child for them.

For example, maybe your youngster comes home and says that their teacher told them to get ready for a certain type of test next Tuesday. Then, you can dispel any fears or uncertainties they have. Explaining to your child how the assessments will enable them to have more personalized school experiences should help them have better impressions of the exercises overall.

Have a Good Attitude About School

You can probably recall several recent examples where your child picked up a behavior or phrase after associating it with you. Children are like human sponges that soak up everything around them.

That’s why it’s important to continually show a positive attitude about school and learning. If kids hear parents or other adults in the home complaining about school, they’ll conclude that it’s okay to do the same. You’re not actually attending your child’s educational facility as a student, but you might still have bad attitudes about aspects of it, such as having to rearrange your schedule to take them to or pick them up from the bus stop.

Be conscious of how you discuss school, and even the facial expressions or tone of voice used while doing it. Demonstrating encouragement and an upbeat viewpoint will help your child follow suit. Remember that you can’t control what your youngsters hear and see while outside of your presence. That makes it all the more important to influence them while they’re around you.

Assist Your Child With Homework

Doing homework can be an overwhelming or empowering experience depending on the resources your child has. For example, maybe they’re struggling in one or more subjects. That’s a frustrating but common experience. If they understand that you’re there as a parent to prioritize doing homework with them, they’ll feel more able to overcome stumbling blocks. However, if they believe they’re facing the task alone, they may quickly come to strongly dislike homework.

A good starting point is to set a regular time for homework. Choose one that works for both you and your child. For example, some kids are better able to get into the mindset needed for homework if they return from school and play for an hour first. Others find it easier to become motivated if they only begin after having snacks.

In addition to helping your child get into a suitable homework routine, keep in mind that one of the most essential things you can do is show your interest and eagerness. Even if you don’t know all the right answers, helping your child use the internet or library to get the information they need shows them that you’re on their side.

These tips prove that relatively small actions can go a long way in shaping how your child feels about and performs in school. Understanding your role in their learning journey is a vital way to get them set for success during every grade and class.

 

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Who develops the best Megaways slots?

Back in 2016, a developer called Big Time Gaming released what was to become a game-changing slot – though it didn’t seem like it at the time. That slot was called Dragonborn, and it was the very first Megaways slots bonus – through its revolutionary status went unnoticed and unappreciated by many.

Two more followed not long after (Queen of Riches and Starquest) but neither of these managed to make a splash either. However, Big Time Gaming’s next try, Bonanza, fared much better, and rapidly gained in popularity – making the slot’s Megaways mechanic a great success.

Hang on a minute – what exactly IS a Megaways slot?

New entrants to the world of online slot games may not be familiar with Megaways slots. Essentially, these are games which feature the Megaways mechanic, a random reel modifier which prompts a different number of symbols to appear on each spin – thereby generating potentially thousands of ways to win. These ever-changing slots are much more dynamic than your standard game, and because they offer such a sheer variety of ways to win, they are understandably highly appealing.

The top Megaways slots

While Big Time Gaming was the original pioneer of this mechanism, they made a strategic decision 2 years ago to allow a certain number of other developers to use the mechanism too – for a fee. This meant that a variety of other Megaways slots soon went into production, by the likes of WMS, Relax Gaming, Blueprint Gaming, Red Tiger and more – so if you want to find a really good Megaways slot, it is best to start with these guys! Over the last couple of years, these developers have been hard at work, and now there are quite a number of Megaways slots available to play, some of which have amassed a cult following. Here is a selection of the most popular:

Bonanza: Big Time Gaming’s original success story still secures a high spot on the list, thanks to its potentially massive payouts.

Set in an abandoned gold mine, this high volatility slot has an RTP of 96% and offers a staggering 117,649 ways to win. The reactive reels and impressive bonus round with an expanding multiplier are the main reasons for this game’s popularity.

Holy Diver: also by Big Time Gaming, this well-liked knight-themed slot game combines both the Megaways and Reel Adventure concepts to form a spectacular slot that has proven highly popular with players. One of the best things about it must surely be the 586,971 ways it offers you to win!

Primal by Blueprint Gaming is another slot that ranks highly when it comes to popularity. This Megaways game comes with a payout rate of 96.76% and among its enticing attributes you will find multipliers of up to 243x, a free spins bonus with up to 30 spins, and 46,656 Megaways.

As well as Blueprint Gaming and Megaways expert Big Time Gaming, WMS has made it onto the top Megaways slot developer list with its Battleship Direct Hit! This battleship-themed slot offers impressive jackpots of up to 2500x your stake, as well as up to 50 free spins and mystery premium symbols.

Verdict

There can be no doubt that when it comes to Megaways slots, Big Time Gaming is the dominant developer – but you can also find exceptional slots from the likes of Blueprint Gaming, WMS, Red Tiger, Pragmatic Play and other well-known companies.

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5 Tips to Find the Best Online Casino to Play

There are many online casinos that you can play on. Finding the right one for you can take some looking into and there are certain features you should look out for – check out Fishin Frenzy. Because of this, we have put together this list of top 5 tips to find the best online casinos for you to play.

Decide on what you are looking for

As all online cassinos will come with different features and game types, your personal preference is something which is important in finding the best one. There are tons of different bonuses and free-play options on online casinos. Whatever you are looking for it is out there, so make sure you have a firm grasp on what you are wanting from them.

Check out the Online Casinos reputation

An important factor when deciding on what online casino to play on is the reputation that they hold. Because you are spending your money on the experience you want to make sure that you are using the best sites out there. Be sure to investigate reviews, forums, blogs, and articles on online casinos before signing up.

Once you have found one that is legitimate and has a good reputation you should be good to go. We want you to have a good time betting and not be victim to cyber-crimes. Therefore, it is so important to check out the online casinos reputation before you play.

Research as much as possible

The internet is your best friend when it comes to research and this can be massively helpful in terms of choosing an online casino. You will find information about the casino you are looking into and can see what other people think from there. Furthermore, always look on the online casinos website to read into what they have on offer and what types of games you will be playing.

Ensure the casino is properly licenced and regulated

There is nothing as important as making sure that the online casino you are playing on has an official licence and is properly regulated. You can make sure that the casino is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission by looking out for it on there website. There is a lot of fraud out there so be careful when signing up for an online casino.

Follow advice from other players and experts

If you know someone else who happens to be an online casino player, do not hesitate to ask them about where they are playing and what they think of the site. There is nothing like first-hand experience and you will be able to develop a better understanding of where to play by asking around.

Conclusion

There is a lot you can do to find the best online casino for you out there. If you follow the advice from this article you should be able to land yourself a place where you can not only see some winnings, but also have a great time. Thank you for reading and happy betting!

 

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3 Reasons to Study for Your Masters in Healthcare Administration Online

Healthcare is a fast-paced and fast-moving industry. In just the past year with the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen what is possible when like-minded and experienced professionals get together to make life better for patients, but none of that could happen without the dedication and education of a high-level set of administration staff.

Why Healthcare Administration Is Important

Within any business and any industry, there needs to be an excellent team of people who are responsible for organizing people and logistics. In healthcare, that job falls on a dedicated set of staff known as Healthcare Administrators.

Do not be fooled; a healthcare administrator is not a junior role; everyone working within the administration team will be well experienced and well educated.

Education, usually to master’s level and occasionally to Ph.D. level, is vital to ensure that staff understands the intricacies of all of the different policies and cogs that allow hospitals and healthcare centers to work fluidly.

Online Learning Is Location Independent

Whether you want to continue traveling before settling into your career, or you are still considering where you want to spend your time on a more permanent basis, studying for your MHA program online online has the advantage of being completely location independent.

You will need to attend classes and hand in the work, but it can happen from anywhere. Home, the office, or the in-laws! Studying from a laptop or a mobile device gives you even more opportunities for flexibility.

Suitable for Different Educational Styles

Maybe you always found sitting still at school difficult, or perhaps you find yourself awake at 3 am and ready to learn?

Whatever your learning style, online learning can be a great way to adapt. With modern technologies allowing students to listen to classes and books and flexibility, giving night owls the option to study when it suits them, online learning is a bonus for every learning style.

You Will not Miss Out

You may be thinking that if you study online, you will miss out on the important information and effectiveness of learning that traditional options seem to have, right?

Wrong!

Online learning, particularly in the healthcare field, has been found to be just as effective as traditional learning. Some studies suggest online learning may be more effective than learning that happens in a more traditional setting such as a classroom or a lecture theatre.

The ability for online program delivery to happen visually, in both video and text format, and over sound too, means that more of the senses are involved, and students can allow their minds to get lost in the learning while their bodies are doing the dishes!

Learning while multitasking is just one benefit; that is not even taking into consideration the ability for forum discussions to happen between students in a much more fluid setting than the traditional classroom. Online discussions also allow you to think and formulate your thoughts better than if you were put on the spot in a classroom discussion.

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Tips on Writing Custom Graduation Cards

You might not realize how fast time moves, and soon your loved one will be walking across the big platform to receive their graduation certificate. Writing a ‘hey congratulations’ might not get you off the hook this time, as you might have to create custom graduation cards. You could write celebratory graduation notes reminding your loved ones about their education journey, how you are proud of their educational achievements, and encourage them about the road that lies ahead.

Begin with Congratulation Remarks

Although you might not have to write a whole congratulatory commencement, you could create a basic message that makes the graduate feel appreciated.  You could personalize the graduation message by including the recipient’s name and make it casual if you know them personally. However, if you do not know the graduate personally, you could choose to be more formal.

Talk About Their Education

Even when a custom greeting card could be created online, it could be better to leave some blank spaces to write some text and notes to the graduate.  You could talk about how much they have accomplished in the education journey and that you are proud of them. You could let family members like children sign the graduation card with encouraging words.

Look into the Future

Graduation could be the best time to encourage your loved one to look ahead, and you could tell them that you are excited about their future. Encouragement and optimism might set the graduate on the right foot as they prepare for their careers. You could choose a more casual way of embracing the future, and you could tell your loved ones that they deserve to see their future come true. You could tell them that you could be proud of where their life could take them and that your prayers are with them.

Graduating Through a Difficult Time

Suppose your graduate is graduating during a difficult time when it is impossible to celebrate, such as during a lockdown like that imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, you could still make them smile. You could tell your loved ones that although you do not get the chance at the moment to walk with them on their graduation day, you could be celebrating with them as soon as you get the chance. Moreover, if the graduate is struggling personally, you could encourage them through their challenging moments. You could wish them that although the graduation happened during their dark days, you are proud of their achievement.

If You Won’t Make It to the Graduation

If you do not attend their graduation, you could note your absence and ensure that you could have loved to be with them on their graduation if you had the chance. Afterward, you could inform the graduate that you are proud of their achievement despite you being absent on the day. Remind the graduate that you are cheering for them and wishing them the best on their big day and with their plans.

The Bottom Line

Graduation is a celebratory moment for your loved one, and it could be wise to write them a custom celebratory message. You could write encouraging graduation messages about their achievements. You could remind them that their future could be more promising and that your prayers are with them.

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Financial Planning Tips for Families Who Live Abroad

Living in a different country takes a lot of adjustments. Everything is so different from what you have been used to all your life. You are away from what is familiar to you, and you need to adapt to the culture, the climate, the people, and anything else that you have never known before.

As an ex-pat, handling your finances is overwhelming enough in a new country. Having a family or starting one abroad requires more solid financial planning. You are no longer just thinking about yourself and your future, but your family’s as well. Their needs are your priority, which is why it is best to know how to handle your assets and ensure that your family is financially secure in your new home. If you are uncertain about how to manage your finances on your own, you can always seek advice from the people who have the expertise to help you. With the coronavirus economic impact, it is even more crucial to manage and protect your finances and secure the future of your family abroad.

Here are some useful suggestions to help you.

Life insurance

If you are quite young and single, life insurance may not be a priority. However, whatever age you are, with a family to consider, this may be worth seriously considering. When you have children or are expecting a child, you are responsible for their financial security, among others. Should anything untoward happen to you, your family is assured of sufficient financial support. If you are insured, you can lay your concerns to rest as these policies provide your family with financial security should anything happen to you. You may want to find out if your company has provided you with life assurance as part of your benefits, and if it is enough to sustain your family in any event.

Keep your income secure

Like life insurance, most people do not think much about securing their income until the last moment. The thing is that illnesses and injuries occur when you least expect them. Your family is significantly affected by these unless you are sure that government payments are sufficient for them to live comfortably. Thus, you can start thinking of an income protection plan to keep your earnings secure. For ex-pats, there are income protection policies that can be availed of. These policies provide you and your family with a regular income should you be incapacitated and unable to work. Generally, you can ensure about 75 % of what you currently earn. The amount is paid until the time you can get back to work.

Prepare a will

Preparing a will may be something you would not want to think about, but it is an essential factor in planning your family’s finances. It doesn’t matter what age group you belong to. If you have a family and property, it is in your best interest to prepare a will. To do this, you will need to seek advice from a notary. Writing a will is an inexpensive and straightforward process that will benefit your family should you pass away.

Your family’s future is secure if you manage your finances correctly. You are assured that whatever goes wrong, they will have a comfortable life wherever they live.

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