How to Have Fun with Your Kids This Spring

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Spring is here at last, so it’s time to shake off the winter blues and get out into the fresh air and spring sunshine! Even if you’ve managed some lovely brisk winter walks and been able to enjoy some time outside over the winter, the kids will still be feeling restless and want to let off steam now it’s warming up. It will do the whole family good to get out and soak up some sun, so turn off the TV and get going!

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Nature rambles

Spring is the ideal time to explore the natural world and see everything coming back to life. Arm yourselves with some wildlife spotting books or apps, and see what you can find – you don’t need to travel far, any green space near you is bound to have plenty of fascinating flora and fauna. It’s a good idea to let the kids have a run around in the open space first to take the edge off their energy levels before you get down to the business of looking for interesting wildlife. Just hearing the birds singing in the spring is enough to lift anyone’s heart, but if you all look carefully, you may see the birds collecting material for their nests or worms for their chicks.

Take a glamping trip

It might still be a bit too chilly at night for full-on camping, but glamping gives you the freedom and excitement of living under canvas without sacrificing your home comforts. A weekend away together gives you plenty of time to explore and have fun, and the kids can have some serious play time living in the open air for a couple of days. Don’t forget to pack a ball or some outdoor games you can play at the site, and make sure you’ve got your hiking boots so you can explore the trails in comfort. If you don’t want to be bothered cooking at the campsite, take a trip to a nearby restaurant or pub like The Flintgate, where you can get a delicious home-cooked meal, and there’s entertainment for the children.

Go to the beach

You might think beaches are for the summer, laying in the sand or playing in the warm sea water; however, there’s a whole different experience awaiting you on the beach in the springtime. Spring tends to bring high tides, and there will have been storms over the winter too, so there could be all sorts of treasure washed up on the beach. You could find exotic items like tropical nuts that have come from thousands of miles away, and you may even find a message in a bottle! Winter storms often reveal new fossils on beaches with the right rock formations, and the rock pools themselves may have creatures you wouldn’t normally see inland, like spider crabs and jellyfish. The coming of spring lifts the spirits like few other events, and it’s a great time to be activebefore the hot summer sun starts to slow you down again, so make the most of this special time of year.

6 Ways Your Body Changes After Giving Birth

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Most women are probably familiar with the changes your body goes through after you get pregnant.  Swelling breasts, a bigger tummy, and in some cases the occasional bout of morning sickness.

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However, less people talk about what happens after you give birth. Here are some of the changes you can expect to see after you have your baby which you may not have known about.

Skin Changes

If your skin changed during pregnancy, it’s likely to change again after birth.  You may experience increased acne, or in some cases discoloration.

In order to keep up with the changes, you should invest in high-quality skincare.  By applying products suitable for your particular skin condition, you should be able to reverse any conditions you developed post-birth.

Hair Loss

Most women agree that their hair is thicker and grows faster during pregnancy.  Since your body is so full of hormones, you don’t lose as many hairs on a daily basis. However, when your hormones drop after giving birth, many women start to notice a significant amount of hair loss.   Their bodies are catching up with all the extra hair it accumulated and is attempting to balance out the growth cycle.

Don’t panic if your hair becomes quite thin! It’s a typical side effect which should regulate itself within a few months.

Breast Changes

When your milk comes in your breasts will get even bigger than they were during pregnancy.  In some cases women experience engorgement.  It’s worth doing a little research on how to avoid developing conditions like clogged milk ducts which can be very painful.

Lastly, after you’ve finished breastfeeding, your breasts will likely fall lower than they did prior to pregnancy.

Stomach Changes

Some women think that the minute they give birth their stomach will instantly shrink back down to its original size.  However, your uterus will still be bigger than usual until at least six weeks postpartum.  You may have developed a linea nigra which will start to fade as well.

If you developed stretch marks, they might start to fade to a lighter color over time.  In order to strengthen your stomach muscles, try to engage in core exercises like sit-ups.

Sore Back

During pregnancy, you had a lot to carry around which may have taken its toll on your back.  It’s not unusual to experience mild back pains.  It should clear up within a few weeks; otherwise, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

Changes In Urination

A lot of women experience urination problems after giving birth to their babies due to the pressure on the urethra during delivery.  It’s not uncommon to suffer from UTIs or burning sensations while going to the bathroom.  Talk to your doctor about what kind of solutions they recommend to better your situation. fffffffffff

Seasonal Shopping Made Easy (For Kids)

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Every new season requires a new wardrobe, which is especially true of young children who have most likely outgrown all of the clothes they wore the year before. But with so many options and styles available and too many items needed, seasonal shopping can be quite an overwhelming and costly endeavor. However, if you learn how to do it smartly and efficiently, shopping for children’s clothes can be a fun and simple task. Here are the best tips to help you shop more practically this season:

Pay close attention to fabrics

Children are very active, which is why they need clothing that is light and durable, especially for daily use. Similarly, they won’t want to wear clothing that is itchy or rough, so it’s always better to opt for soft fabrics, especially when it comes to babies and toddlers, who have extra sensitive skin. For example, cotton and linen are very soft and breathable materials that won’t irritate the skin, so they make for some of the best options.

Choose the styles wisely

If you’re not sure what to buy, opt for basic pieces, such as simple T-shirts, plain shorts, and sweaters and jackets with minimal prints and patterns. Items like these can easily be mixed and matched with other clothes and worn time and time again. Another thing to consider is buying items in colors that don’t show stains. Children are notoriously messy, so try to choose dark colors and very bright shades, instead of pastels, as they’re much easier to take care of. Of course, always take your child’s preferences into consideration – selecting an item your child likes will ensure the item is used often and it will make getting dressed in the morning much quicker and easier.

Give online shopping a go

If you are a busy parent that doesn’t have much time to spend at shopping malls, online shopping can be a great alternative. It is a very fast and convenient method of shopping, and a lot of online stores can offer great deals on children’s clothing, especially during seasonal changes. If you know your child’s size, you can find a lot of high-quality kids boutique clothing online that is durable and long-lasting, but still very cute and fun.

Check out the clearance racks

At the end of every season, most stores have a selection of items at a large discount. So, when you go shopping, head to the back of the store and take a look at the clearance rack to see if anything catches your eye. Whether you opt for all-season basics, or even choose to buy last season items in bigger sizes for next year, you are sure to get a great deal at the clearance rack and you may even find some cute pieces of clothing that would otherwise be too pricey to consider.

Pay thrift stores a visit

If the idea of buying someone else’s clothes is initially unappealing, start small. Pay a visit to some local thrift stores and check for great deals on clean, gently used clothing. In general, buying special occasion clothing from a secondhand shop is always a smart idea, as your daughter probably won’t need to wear her Easter dress more than a couple of times, for example. Once you become more comfortable buying secondhand clothes, you may even branch out to pants, shirts and other everyday items – just be sure to wash them thoroughly before adding them to your child’s closet. As you can see, there is no need to spend a ton of money and effort to make sure your children look great. As long as you get a little creative, bargains are easy to come by, no matter how old your kids are.

How to Clean a Vintage Rug?

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A rug is an essential part of our room – it ties everything together and serves as a base for everything else. Caring for rugs, especially the vintage ones, can be a hassle. There are many external factors that can determine how long your vintage rug is going to last. What’s more, many antique rugs have a sentimental value to them, as it’s a tradition to pass them down since they are considered a family heirloom. They’re made to last –  because of that, you need to take some preventive measures to ensure that your carpet is well-preserved and taken care of in order to be kept in the family for generations to come. Here are some useful tips on how to clean, remove stains and take care of a vintage rug to prolong its life and beauty:

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Take good care of your vintage rug

Since they are such an investment, you want to make sure that they are being treated in the best way possible. To get rid of the dust in your antique rug, brush it with a soft-bristled brush or use a vacuum. If you’re vacuuming, make sure that you cover the rug with a nylon screen first. You can also use a nylon mesh – place it over the vacuum attachment and you’re ready to go. Make sure to clean the other side of the rug as well. Cleaning it twice a month will do the trick. If you’re thinking about introducing oriental rugs to your home, consider buying vintage Morroccan rugs – surely they’ll become the focal point of your room due to their soft texture and lively pattern. Take good care of your vintage rugs as they are often passed on to another generation.

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Dealing with spills

Wool rugs contain lanolin, which serves as natural protection from spills. However, it’s important to note that the stain should be dealt with immediately. Do it by applying a clean moist cloth to absorb the spill from the rug. If it’s a wine spill, its color is likely to persist. If you need soap, use a hair shampoo. Be gentle and don’t scrub the stain. As soon as you’re done removing the spill from the rug, allow it to air dry by lifting it from the floor. Avoid leaving the rug moist as it will disintegrate the fibers of the rug.

Do not use chemical products on your rug

Have in mind that you need to avoid aggressive cleaning treatments like dry cleaning and steam cleaning. Most Persian rugs are made from wool, and those cleaning processes would break down the wool fibers, so it’s a good idea to simply hand wash them. You can even tumble the older rugs in a machine to get the dust and dirt out, but it’s for the less sturdy ones. Also, do not use homemade cleaning products nor store-bought chemical products, as their ingredients will destroy the wool fibers in the rug.

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Consider using a rental carpet cleaner

The last option is to have a professional carpet cleaner take care of your vintage rug. It’s the easiest solution, but it’s more costly than doing it yourself. If you opt for a professional carpet cleaning, bear in mind that you need to repeat the process approximately every five years, if not earlier. Caring for vintage rugs may seem like a lot of work, but they’re worth it. Because of their unique beauty and oriental vibe, they bring a lot of character to any room they are introduced to, with their colorful, interesting patterns. Use the tips above to get the polished, well-kept look of your vintage rugs while preserving them for the next generation to give them a nice home.

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How to Teach Your Child Empathy

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Empathy is described as the ability to understand and share the feelings of other people, which is what the majority of people develop through life, as they grow up. No matter what you may or may not think, kids can be empathetic from an early age, too. So, if you want to know how to teach your child empathy, all you have to do is to keep on reading. Here are three useful tips on how to make that happen, so check them out and get down to business!

Label the feelings in the first place

In case you weren’t aware of it, the fact is that your child will be able to understand and manage their feelings with more success if they learn to recognize them in the first place. This is exactly why you should label particular feelings and mention them as often as possible, in accordance with situations in which your kid behaves in a certain way. When they realize that you’ve noticed their behavior, they’ll also learn to recognize and value their own feelings, which is a huge step forward your child has to take. You can come up with a ‘feeling of the day’ game, too, by putting up a bulletin board with pictures of people experiencing basic emotions such as happiness, sadness, and anger, and talk with your child about times when they felt the same way. When they learn those, you can continue with more complicated emotions such as jealousy, nervousness, frustration, and similar ones.

child empathy

Praise empathetic behavior

When your little one performs an act of kindness, it’s essential to praise their empathetic behavior and emphasize the importance of behaving in a particular way. Of course, we should also mention that you should be as specific as possible, so that your kid understands what they did and how it affected other kids or people. For example, if your daughter gladly shared her sandwich with her friend in school, you should say that it was really generous to share it because it made the other girl very happy. On the other hand, donating money to charities has always been a great way to teach your kids empathy, which is why people from all across the world do it with their little ones these days. If that’s what you want, you can encourage your kid to donate money to children’s charity in Australia. This is a great way to teach your child to be more empathetic and responsible with money at the same time.

Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and do the same, too

Allowing and motivating your child to talk about their feelings is one of the best ways to show them that you care about how they feel, so always listen intently to what they have to say, without exceptions. This is also crucial even if your kid wants to tell a story about someone else, so listen to the story from their point of view before offering your own. When your little one can’t define the feeling on their own, you should be there to help them out. Needless to say, sharing your feelings with your child is also of the utmost importance, so make sure to tell them how you feel about particular situations. Your kid will learn that adults have feelings, too, as well as that these are a normal part of life. That can teach them to cope with those emotions throughout life, which is an essential part of growing up your child should experience sooner rather than later.

As you can see, there are a lot of great ways to teach your child empathy, and these three are undoubtedly the best ones out there. All you have to do is to stick to our tips and guidelines if that’s one of your top priorities and you’ll make that happen, without a shadow of a doubt!

Finding Inspiration for Your Next Interior Design Improvements

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Someday you may be feeling inspired to start improving some aspects of the interior design of your home. The question that immediately follows that interest of yours is – where are you going to find ideas? Inspiration can come from all over the place, but there are many different options to get you started.

So think about which area of your home you want to make the interior design improvement on, and then begin going down your list of possible sources of concepts. You can look online to find completed project examples. You can wander through DIY sites about interior design. You can look in different places to find a vein to expand on, especially for doing something like decorating a child’s bedroom. And, you can ask your family members if they have any ideas. It’s amazing how many times that source of inspiration is skipped over.

Project Examples

A great place to start looking for inspiration would be by checking out completed studio spaces. Look for colors, textures, and arrangements that make sense to you. Decide how you can incorporate these ideas into your designs, and start moving forward on your project from there. Even if you can’t match pieces up precisely, it’s the ideas that will create a good source of inspiration for you.

DIY Sites

Look through interior design DIY sites. There are tons of examples online of families who have created interior design instructions for you to follow. Find a project with simple tools, low-budget, or reasonable timeframe, and then work forward from there. It can be very easy to get excited about these small projects that make a big difference in your life.

Finding a Theme

Another way to find inspiration for an interior design project is if you try to find a theme that makes sense in context. For example, if you have a young child who enjoys race cars, then do an interior project where you use race cars as a theme. If a child has a favorite cartoon character or favorite sports team, the same sort of principles apply. As long as you actively surround your concepts with the idea of a central theme, the result should be quite good.

Asking for Preferences from Family Members

Finally, sometimes inspiration comes from those nearest and dearest to you. Ask your husband or wife what they think would be a good idea! Talk to family members about what they would like to see as far as the design goes in the living room, the dining room, or the kitchen. You’d be amazed at how creative your family members can be a, and you don’t even have to look outside your inner circle.

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3 Things You Can Do To Be Supportive Of Other Parents

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Being a parent is hard. Almost everyday, parents are going to go through some type of struggle with their kids. Regardless of the age of their child, what stage in life they’re in, or their personality, it’s very rare for there to be a day or days where parents and children get along great all day long. Because of this, many parents feel stressed, stretched too thin, overwhelmed, and just run down. If you are or know of a parent like this, there are things you can do to help find support and be supportive to others. To show you how, here are three things you can do to be supportive of other parents.

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7 Ways to Best Explore the Caribbean in a Week

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Exploring a place that is new to you can feel like a daunting task. There is often so much history and culture to immerse yourself in that it can be difficult to know exactly where to start. There’s so much to do that one can’t help but wonder, how can you plan effectively to make sure that you see a good variety of things? Especially when you’re taking a cruise, whether you only make a pit stop in the Caribbean or if it’s from one of the western Caribbean cruise lines, it’s important that you at least have a few things to keep in mind.

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