For some people, working from home comes easy. But for others, having the freedom to work when and how you want can sometimes make it hard to buckle down and focus. And if you have kids to throw into the mix, it may feel like you’re never able to get the work done that you really need to.

Since this has been an issue for many people during the coronavirus and quarantine environment, here are three tips to help if you’re working from home when you have little kids.

Make The Best Use Of Downtime

Ideally, there should be at least a few hours each day where your kids aren’t needing your constant attention. For some people, this is during nap times. For others, meal times or strategic screen time can help with this. So if there are ever times where your kids are busy or preoccupied, this is when you should try to get as much work done as possible.

While it can be easy to want to use this time as a break for yourself, Brooke Lea Foster, a contributor to Parents.com, shares that this is when you should really try to be as efficient as possible and get your most important work done. Even if you’re not able to actually slip off to your home office, any time that you’re able to give your work your full and undivided attention should be taken complete advantage of.

Help Your Kids Help Themselves

If there isn’t naturally a lot of time during the day where you kids are going to be distracted by something other than you, you should work to teach your children how to be more independent throughout the day so they need less of your help and attention.

To do this, Nadine Silverthorne, a contributor to Today’s Parent, suggests that you set up a snack and drink station in your home. Here, you should make it so your kids can get themselves drinks and simple snacks without needing your help. By doing this, you could be giving yourself a lot more time to sit and work in dedicated chunks of time.

Try Working In Blocks Of Time

Sometimes, working from home means that you’re going to have to explain to your kids that you simply can’t play with them or give them a lot of your attention at the moment. But since your kids will still need your assistance and interaction, Teresa Douglas, a contributor to The Muse, recommends that you try to do everything in blocks of time.

By setting up a schedule where you’ll work for a block of time and then spend some time playing with or helping your kids before getting back to work, you’ll hopefully be able to get everything done that you need to accomplish, even if it takes you a bit longer.

If you’re going to be working from home for the foreseeable future while your kids are going to be stuck at home as well, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you figure out how to be productive professionally while also taking care of your domestic responsibilities.

When traveling on a family vacation, it is important to have the essentials for a successful trip. There are some items you must pack each and every time to avoid any type of issue. From toys for the kiddos to snacks, you need certain items for everyone to be comfortable and for you to feel stress-free. Check out a few tips below to find out what you must bring with you so that you can check it off your list as you get ready for your next trip.

Kid-Packing Essentials

There are a few key items you must not forget when traveling. If you are driving to your destination, your kids need to be entertained. They need books, coloring books, colors, toys, etc. You can easily pack these items by using tote bags. With a promo tote bag, you can have a bag for each child, packed for their basic needs. The child then keeps the bag with them in the back seat so they can easily access items. You will find this is an essential as your child will stay busy while you keep your eyes on the road.

It is also important to consider other kid-must-haves. This can include swim diapers for little ones when traveling to a water park or hotel with a swimming pool. You also should stock up on your child’s daily needs, including packing plenty of clothing, diapers, wipes, rash cream, etc.

Medicine Must-Haves

It is also important to have medicine on hand in case you need it. The basics include Tylenol for headaches and Pepto for an upset stomach. You can also pack motion sickness medicine for long car rides, allergy meds in case of a flareup and any other essentials. Think about the health needs of your family when making the decision to pack medicine.

Snacks and Drinks

You and the kids are going to get hungry on your travels. And while you plan on dining out, it is important to pack a few snacks and drinks for the travel portion plus while you are at the hotel. Snack and drink machines at hotels can cost a pretty penny. Take your own snacks and drinks to be able to have something you and the kids can enjoy without having to leave the room.

Kids-Favorites

Don’t forget your kid’s favorite items when you travel! If your child has a favorite stuffed animal or toy, blanket or pacifier, do not forget it. This can lead to temper tantrums or emotional breakdowns that can ruin a trip. Keep track of the items while you are away to ensure they don’t get left behind during your travels. There is nothing worse than losing a stuffed animal or blanket while traveling.

These are just a few examples of packing essentials when traveling with the family. Take heed to these tips and consider the wants and needs of your family when packing. It is always better to have too much stuff then to not have what you need, especially when traveling far away from home!

Those who are on a limited budget raise their eyebrows at buying cute and personalised bag tags for young kids. Isn’t this just a frivolous expense when you can just write their names with a marker just like what the moms of the older generation did back in the day? Some feel it is unnecessary to spend more money on such a non-essential item. But, hold it right there! These cute tags for your kids’ bags are not just vanity but a necessity. Here is why you need to buy a bag tag for your kids.

Easy Identification

With a personalised bag tag, you can have your child’s name, home address, and contact information displayed. You can also add the name of their school or class section if you want. Because a bag tag is made of durable materials, all this information will not be easily rubbed off or erased. This bag tag can help your child keep track of his or her items throughout the school year. In case anything gets lost, people can return stuff to you right away.

Helps Them Stand Out

Having customised bag tags will help make your kids’ tag stand out. Most children who go to school end up with identical-looking bags. It is not uncommon for a child to take the wrong bag home. How annoying it is when that happens because your kids cannot do homework!

With their own bag tags, they can spot their school bag from afar and prevent these mistakes. Apart from the school bag, it is also a great inclusion to your child’s luggage because bag tags can easily be seen from the airport bag carousel.

Allows Expression of Personality

There is a broad range of design, colours, characters, shapes, and sizes to choose from when making personalised bag tags. Allowing your kids to pick and create their own bag tag helps them express their personalities. They can be as creative as they want when selecting their beautiful aesthetic combinations. They can even choose fonts and what words to include. By allowing them to help with the selection process, you are fostering their imagination.

Cultivates a Strong Sense of Responsibility

When you allow your child to help with the bag tag selection, you are keeping them engaged and empowering them to protect their belongings. As a result, they feel more invested in their things. Choosing these simple tags together actually cultivates a strong sense of responsibility in your children. When they see these hanging on their bags, they feel proud of being a part of the design process and the urge to protect their personal belonging is heightened.

Offers Value for Money

If you are indecisive about buying bag tags, know that these premium quality items are well-made and offer you excellent value for money. They are actually not even expensive to start with, and you can pick something that suits your budget. Kids love personalised stuff, so these make great gifts, too, because they are beautiful and functional.

Final Word

As you can see, bright-coloured bag tags are not just frivolity. They are a necessary purchase to include in your children‘s arsenal. You won’t regret getting custom bag tags because these are waterproof, durable, and made to withstand harsh conditions. The only thing you must decide now is which one to get. Have a great bag-tag-bonding moment with your kids by designing stuff together!

Author: Anna James

Parents always want what is best for their children. As much as possible, they will give them the best care, shelter, and education. But they also know their responsibilities, so they need to go to work for a job or two. Where will the little children stay while their parents are away? Fortunately, a kids early learning centre is a good daycare option for them and their parents. It employs a combination of learning and babysitting at the same time, depending on the age of the child.

Parents are encouraged to enrol their children in an early learning facility. Aside from avoiding being left alone at home, there are other reasons why it is essential to do so.

Early Emotional and Social Development

Children have a natural distrust of people who are not part of their family circle. But for them to have faith in others, they need to start young. An early learning centre encourages emotional skills and engagement. Also, a child’s unexpected moments via interaction with different people can sometimes lead to frustrations and other negative emotions. It is the goal of the centre to develop the social skills of the child with the use of teachable moments without any embarrassment or punishment.

Preparing Kids for School

Have you ever heard of kids who take a step on to the school premises on the first day, then refuse to come back the day after? Some of those kids are scared of a big group of kids, and some are terrified of their teachers. So getting them into a kids early learning centre at an early age eliminates the possibility of crying sessions after the first school day. The children learn to nurture social relationships with the people around them – teachers and classmates included.

A kids learning centre also has highly trained staff that can assess the individual needs of the children they handle. From there, they can customise the learning program of a child. They see his existing skills, and they know if he is ready to learn a new one.

Having Fun and The Love of Learning at The Same Time

A young child should learn at school. Instilling the love of learning through the use of fun concepts happens at an early learning facility. Their curiosity is piqued by new things they see and feel. They also get to discover new things with their new peer group. Ideas and imaginations run wild, especially when the children play with one another. Props such as costumes and other toys start a spark in the active mind of a child.

Stimulates Language and Cognitive Skills

Young children quickly pick up words they hear from the people around them. Studies show that children between two to five years old grow their vocabulary from five hundred to almost three thousand words. The early learning centre teachers extend the language of the child by talking to him most of the time. Some activities foster both cognitive and language skills such as storytelling, describing the animals they like and singing nursery rhymes and other educational songs. Problem-solving abilities are enhanced in early childhood education to promote critical thinking when the child needs it the most.

Not all early learning facilities have tried-and-tested preschool programs. If you are on the lookout for one, make sure that the staff uses a balanced yet research-based approach when it comes to early childhood development.

If you’re moving to a brand new city, you’re probably aware that it’s going to be a bit of a tough transition. It’s not easy to adapt to an entirely new culture, and even if the city’s still in the United States, you’re still going to confront new elements of a culture you probably don’t fully understand. How can you make it easier? Try out these tips to ease the transition a bit.

Determine Bus and Driving Routes Early

The last thing you want is for you or your child to get extremely confused on your way to school or work the first few weeks. Before you actually move to the new city, map out the bus and driving routes you’re going to have to go through every day.

This is a great way to make sure your family feels comfortable in the new city. After all, transportation is one of the most basic things you’ll want to master in your new city. You may want to travel these routes before you have to for work or school, so you can work out any issues you may otherwise have.

Research Local Clubs

Getting involved in local organizations is a great way to integrate into your new city. Not only does it give you and your kids things to do on a regular basis, it’s also a good way to meet new people in your new city as organically as possible.

Consider things you and your kids already enjoy doing. If you’re interested in science, for example, find out if there are any science center groups in your area. If you like doing crafts, look into local crafting groups. There are groups for just about every interest, so don’t be afraid to branch out.

Take a Day to Explore

When you first move to a new city, it’s going to be stressful. However, on the other hand, it can also be very exciting to be in a brand new space. That’s especially true if you’re willing to explore the area without a goal in mind.

Take a day to explore the area you’re living in now. Visit a few local hotspots, walk around your neighborhood, and take public transportation around the area. It’ll be a good way to integrate with your new hometown, especially if you don’t know much about it yet.

Reach Out to New Chapters of Old Organizations

Was your child part of the Girl Scouts in your old town? Did you volunteer at a nationwide organization? Chances are, that organization has chapters in your new area as well. Although it’s going to be a new group of people, the chapter will probably stick to similar concepts, which can be very helpful in establishing your new routine.

Many kids have a tough time adjusting to new cities and new homes because it means a brand new routine. Although the times and people may change in a new chapter, this can give a similar feeling as the old routine. That can be extremely helpful for you and your kids.

Learn More About Your Neighbors

Staying safe is another important part of becoming part of a new neighborhood. It’s important that you get more information about the people in your area. Learning more about your neighbors can make sure you stay safe while also becoming friends with those neighbors.

Especially if you’re hoping to help your kids become more comfortable with the new neighborhood, you want to make sure the neighbors you talk to are always safe. A people search engine like PeopleFinders is a good way for any layperson to get more information about neighbors in the area, including criminal records and other potential concerns.

Conclusion

It can feel daunting to become truly part of a new neighborhood. However, if you’re willing to put a little bit of effort into the situation, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. With these easy tips, you’ll be able to feel like a genuine part of your new neighborhood as soon as possible. Plus, it’ll be an easier transition for your kids as well.

As a family with kids, you’ll probably hear your child asking for a puppy at some point. Having a dog can be a wonderful addition to a family and can teach your children about companionship, love, and responsibility. However, not every family may be a good fit for a Fido of their own.

Even though you may want to give in to your child’s requests, you should seriously consider whether it’s the right decision for your family. Here are some of the things that you should think about before getting a family dog.

Caring For Your Dog Is Costly

A lot of people think that it’s as simple as buying a dog. However, the cost of the dog itself isn’t the end of the bill. Dogs also require toys, leashes, grooming, and don’t the vet! All sorts of health issues can arise for your dog when you least expect them. Whether they develop a skin allergy or injure a paw, pet visits aren’t cheap!

If you can’t anticipate spending several thousands of dollars a year for your pet, then dog life probably isn’t for you.

Your Schedule

Before you bring a new dog to your house, consider how much it requires you being at home. Dogs aren’t like cats who can be left to their own devices quite comfortably. A dog needs to be taken for walks, cuddled, and cared for.

If you’re someone who works long hours or your children are gone for a lot of the time at activities, then it will have a negative effect on your pooch.

Even though your kids may want the dog, it’s important to know that ultimately it will probably be you who ends up doing the majority of the work, so make sure you have the time!

The Size Of Your Home

Your dog will need a certain amount of space based on the type of breed. Some dogs require to be walked or run around for several hours a day. Keeping a dog cooped up isn’t just sad for the dog, but it can lead to serious destruction of your house!

Make sure that you have a yard if you’re considering a larger breed. They’ll need to have plenty of space to work off all of that energy!

Family Allergies

One of the most common reasons why pet owners end up getting rid of their dogs is because someone in the family develops an allergy to the family dog. Make sure that you are aware of anyone’s potential allergies to your new dog.

The last thing you’d want is one of your children getting sick and sadly having to separate from the animal they’ve grown so fond of!

Having a child can be exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. A new baby brings with it lots of joy and happiness, but how do you know if you’re doing everything right? Many parents worry that they aren’t doing enough for their children. Below are some of our top tips for bringing out the best in your child:

Educate Your Child

Education is extremely important. Let your child read books that are appropriate for their age and play games with them to help them learn. Educate yourself on how your child should be behaving and how much they should know at their age. Then you can work alongside them to help them learn and grow. It has been shown that parents who work alongside teachers to educate their children boost their child’s confidence and produce successful adults.

If you are looking for a school that will work alongside you to bring out the best in your child, then the Visitation School might be the perfect choice for you. This Catholic school works hard to help children achieve their potential whilst also meeting their emotional and physical needs. This school values its children and ensures that they know they are all individuals and all precious.

Know Your Child

Taking some time out to get to know your child can help bring out the best in them. Talk to them about their friends, what they enjoy playing with, and what they want to be in the future. The more you know about your child, the more you can tailor your approach towards them.

Be a Positive Role Model

Try and help your child learn something new every day. Have a look at your child’s work and see what knowledge you have about the subjects they’re learning and then teach it to them. Showing interest in your child’s life can really improve their confidence. You also need to make sure that you set a good example to your child. Try and ensure that your children don’t see any bad behavior from adults in your household.

Encourage Your Child

Encouragement goes a long way. Use words like excellent, good and wonderful to encourage them when they try hard or achieve something. Calling your children names like my hero or superstar will also improve their self-esteem.

Discipline Your Child Appropriately

All children misbehave at some point. Children are continually learning, growing and changing so at times they may push the boundaries, or they may become overwhelmed with emotion. Discipline always works best when a child feels loved and they know that they get rewarded when they behave well. Discipline should depend on your child’s age; a toddler who has a tantrum may need a couple of minutes in a quiet area to calm down whilst a teenager may need to have restrictions placed on their technology use. Remember to discipline your child according to their age and what they have done wrong. Try not to let your emotions control how you discipline them.

Having a child is extremely exciting, but can also be quite a scary experience. Bringing your child up in the right way can often be hard, but it is definitely worth it in the long run. Follow some of our top tips to bring out the best in your child.

The nine months of pregnancy is something that can’t be imagined by anyone who hasn’t gone through it. A woman’s body goes through an intense series of changes from the inside out, ultimately ending in the extraordinary pain of labor and childbirth. As if that wasn’t already enough, a woman then goes through a series of experiences that have the potential to throw her sanity for a loop.

Between hormones, lifestyle changes, and waves of emotions, here are some of the things that most every woman will experience at least once following birth.

Insecurity About Her Shape

The changes that your body goes through after a baby is enough to shake even the most confident of women. Your body stretches out and abruptly deflates, leaving you with places looking a little different than you remember them before. You may wonder if your body will ever look the same again and may even consider plastic surgery.

Feeling unsure about your body is very common after having a baby since your physical form has gone through so much throughout the process. Have faith knowing that most women feel unsure at some point. With enough exercise and a healthful diet, you should return to your desired shape and feel your regular self within 1 to 2 years, in many cases, even sooner.

Pain And Swelling

Regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a cesarean, your lady bits will be in some pain for a while following the birth. In the event of a vaginal delivery, your vagina will be swollen and likely bruised. It may even look a little rough, but don’t worry, it’s totally normal and will soon look as good as new. In the meantime, you can use ice to calm down the swelling, and wear loose and comfortable clothing.

For cesarean mothers, it’s important to follow doctor’s orders regarding your incision. Some women have a relatively quick recovery after their operation, while others find that it can take several months for their scar to heal completely.

Bleeding

A lot of women don’t realize how much bleeding will happen after giving birth. Most women have to wear heavy-duty pads for as many as six weeks after the birth.

It’s always a good idea to carry around industrial strength pads with you wherever you go. Don’t use tampons since they can cause post-delivery infections.

Hair Changes

Once thick and luscious hair will often become lifeless and dull after giving birth. It can be frustrating since a woman’s hair is noticeably more fabulous during the pregnancy itself. Unfortunately, the sudden drop in hormones will cause your hair to fall out. Not to worry, however! It will go back to normal within a few months!

Divorce is a tough thing to go through and when there are kids involved it can be even more difficult to shelter the from the damage that a separation does, than it is dealing with your own personal emotions. I went through this back in 2015 and it wasn’t easy at all. I must admit however that one slice of fortune which I did have was that we lived in Colorado Springs. The reason for this is that the state has divorce laws which can make an acrimonious divorce easier, at least it did for me. This is a no-fault state which made it easier to process the divorce, and the judge will step in to divide assets and decide on custody, when the couple can’t make a decision. Thanks to the great team at Marrison Family Law, his meant that I was left with the kids, and here is how I went about protecting them from the fall out.

Normality

You have to try and keep things as normal as possible with the kids, not to hide what is going on but to help them to maintain a routine. Whether it is sports clubs, events or weekly routines, you have to do all that you can to give them as much normality, in what is an abnormal situation for them.

Open and Honest

Whether you like it or not, this divorce is going to massively effect your children and that is why it is important that you keep them in the loop with what is going on. Naturally you don’t need to spill the beans on all the details behind the split, but you should look to create an open and honest dialogue with them, so that they can begin to get their head around what is going on.

No Bad Mouthing

As difficult as it may be if you have gone through a messy break up, it is important that the kids don’t hear you speaking badly about your soon-to-be ex partner. Regardless of your own opinions, you have to remember that the kids don’t need to share the hatred that you have and it will be up to them to make their own choice as they get older and learn more about what went on.

Don’t Play Chess

Something which I have seen happen with friends of mine was that the kids became pawns during the divorce proceedings and one parent used the kids to get at the other parent. This is not healthy for anyone involved and no matter what feelings you have towards your partner, you have to put them to one side for the sake of the kids. This is not the fault of your children so it is not fair on them to be used in this way, and it will have long lasting effects on the family and the happiness of your kids.

This is a tough time but you have to do your best too protect the kids.