Parenting

VIRAL: This ‘Dad’s Plan’ Drake Parody is the Funniest Thing You’ll Watch this Week (VIDEO)

Posted on April 16, 2018

My husband put me on to Vine Turned YouTube and Musical.ly comedian Kyle Exum‘s newest parody.

The young funny man, who has over 400,000 subscribers on YouTube, did a hilarious take on rapper Drake‘s song “God’s Plan“. As of this post, the video has gotten over 2 million views.

My fave line, “They ask, “Do you love me?” I say “Only partly only love my belt and your mamma I’m sorry.” My husband showed it to the kids because the part about demanding best grades, staying off the mobile games and turning off the lights are TOTALLY me!

Too funny!

WATCH:

Watch Drake’s version where he gives away the near $1M music studio budget for a video for the song to a series of charity and other worthy individuals:

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Things You Might Not Know About Postpartum Depression (INFOGRAPHIC)

Posted on April 15, 2018

Postpartum depression is something most mothers are aware of today, but in our own experience we’ve found that many women stay in a state of denial about Postpartum.

This could be due to the fact that Postpartum depression takes on many different forms from depression to anger to anxiety. The folks at Larkr, a new on-deman mental healthcare app, put together an infographic that you can see below with some interesting facts about Postpartum depression that may help clear things up.

If you or anyone you know may be suffering from Postpartum depression, Larkr’s network of licensed therapists are standing by to help.

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Parenting

5 Things to Consider While Waiting on College Admissions Letters

Posted on April 14, 2018

With college admissions results arriving this week, here are a few tips to keep in mind for families awaiting their child’s college admissions results.

According to the education experts at Magoosh,an online solution that gives everyone access to enjoyable, affordable, and quality test prep—there are certain things that families can do to help ease the stress during this waiting period.

Here are 5 tips to consider:

>> TIP 1: Keep an open mind — there’s no such thing as one “perfect” school.

There are many schools that offer great educational programs and opportunities that are unique to their name. There is always something special about the school your child decides to go to.

>> TIP 2: Have a plan to finance the education.

Whether parents have already saved for their child’s tuition, plan to use financial aid, or will be relying on students loans, always make sure you know how much the total cost for attending each of the college options will be.

>> TIP 3: Stay off social media.

You don’t want to see other parents boasting about their child’s admission to their favorite school—it will just make you more stressed while your child is waiting for their results.

>> TIP 4: Don’t let your child take it personally.

Millions of national and international students apply each year to attend college. Even if you child is at the top of their class, sometimes things are out of their control.

>> TIP 5: Have a Plan B.

If they don’t get into their dream college, they can take a gap year which will strengthen their application for next school year. Always have a backup plan so they’re not at a loss after college admissions season.

Good luck!

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NOW ENROLLING: British Soccer Camps Summer Programs in America

Posted on April 13, 2018

British Soccer Camps are the most popular soccer camp in the US. With an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, The British Soccer Camp provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert’s right in the heart of their own community.

In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun your child can have learning the sport they love!

REGISTER FOR CAMP & GET A JERSEY, BALL, T SHIRT & NEW SKILLS APP AND 20 FREE VIDEOS!

Enroll in the most popular soccer camp in North America! British Soccer Camps have programs for all ages and abilities and feature an innovative curriculum full of skills, drills, and thrills! Register now and you will not only get your free British Soccer game jersey (value $34.95) shipped to you for free immediately, but you will also get our brand new skill development App and 20 videos to help your child practice at home.

Your soccer ball, T-shirt & poster will be given out at camp. USE CODE BSC18 at check out to get free shipping.

To Enroll: https://www.challengersports.com/british-soccer/

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11 Questions to Ask When Picking a Family Orthodontist

Posted on April 13, 2018

I am on the hunt for an orthodontist for myself and my middle kid.

The search can be difficult to choose the right doctor for the family’s orthodontic treatment.

Lucky for me (and you readers), renowned orthodontist Dr. Jamie Reynolds, author of “World Class Smiles Made in Detroit,” has complied a list of questions to ask and consider before making a selection.

Making a wise decision can seem daunting, so review this list of important questions to ask while you’re doing your research that Reynolds came up with:

1) Is the doctor a specialist in orthodontics?

2) When should your child be evaluated?

3) Does the office have a great reputation?

4) Does the office treat adults?

5) Are the results guaranteed?

6) Is the quoted fee all inclusive?

7) Is the office up to date with the latest technology?

8) Are there affordable payment options?

9) Does the office run efficiently?

10) Does the office support the community?

11) Does the office feel fun?

Good luck, parents!! I’ll try to remember to tell you guys how these questions help me out.

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These Are The Tips You Need For Air Traveling with Kids This Summer

Posted on April 11, 2018

Summer vacation travel season is on the horizon.

Emirates Airlines recently conducted a U.S. Travel Survey on Family Travel, identifying key struggles of traveling with kids and what parents say are the most effective ways to make the experience better for them and the kids.

In the survey of 4400 adults with a passport, planning to take an international trip in the coming year or have taken an international trip in the past few years, and who travel at least once every two to three years and are between the ages of 18 and 64.

It’s no secret kids can get antsy during flights. Emirates found that while kids get better at flying as they get older, many kids across all ages are already antsy within the first two hours of a long-haul flight:

Under 2 Years Old: 70% of travelers say kids under 2 get antsy in the first two hours of the flight
3-5 Years Old: 57% of travelers say kids 3-5 years old get antsy in the first 2 hours of a flight
6-10 Years Old: 32% say of travelers say kids 6-10 years old get antsy in the first 2 hours of a flight, with another 50% saying this older group gets antsy between 2-4 hours into a flight

The survey found that parents serve a child’s favorite snacks as one of the top needed distraction.

Additionally, while kids across the U.S. reportedly get restless in the early parts of their flights, kids from Boston tend to be the antsiest flyers in the U.S., with 38% of respondents reporting kids under 2 and 24% of kids 6-10 years old are antsy as soon as the plane takes off.

Keeping kids busy on the ground can be tricky, let alone on a plane. The number one way to keep kids occupied during a long flight? People say devices are the best at keeping kids occupied across all age groups.

The most helpful methods across age groups include:

Under 5 Years Old: 57% of respondents say devices to watch movies, TV shows or videos are by far the most helpful, followed by devices to play games (17%) and activity books and toys (16%)
6-10 Years Old: 96% of respondents say devices to watch movies, TV shows or videos and devices for games tie for being the most helpful in keeping kids content, but are followed closely by having snacks kids enjoy on hand (88%)

However, parental worry about keeping kids entertained through a flight isn’t created equal – Emirates survey found that flyers in Orlando, Houston, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles are the most concerned about this issue when flying.

Is this Seat Available?

It’s no secret that many people try to avoid sitting near kids to ensure peace and quiet during their flight. Emirates found that the average traveler’s willingness to sit next to kids depends on how long the trip is. It turns out that 61% of fliers would say no to sitting next to kids on a flight over 10 hours, and of that, men are actually more likely to agree to it (57%) than women are (64%).

While the West Coast is known for friendliness and the South for hospitality, residents in San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale are actually the least willing to sit next to kids on long-haul flights.

Here are Emirates’ Cabin Crew’s top tips for traveling children this vacation season:

For parents flying with babies, try to choose a flight that is as close as possible to their bedtime. This can help them sleep for a large part of the flight. Also, make sure you have sweets or a bottle of milk for babies/toddlers to suck on during take-off or descent, as they may have difficulty equalizing their ear pressure and feel uncomfortable.For small children, keep one new toy aside to give them mid-flight to ensure they don’t grow bored of the ones they already have. This will provide a fun, distracting surprise, and will keep them occupied longer than one of their old toys.

For kids of all ages, find ways to break up activities during the flight. Don’t depend solely on games or videos – pack a small puzzle, colouring book or interactive toy in addition to devices or in-flight entertainment systems, and use time between shows or movies to try something different.
When kids are awake, take brief strolls when they are already in good moods. This will help them stretch and break up the time between activities in their seats, and help prevent a restless-child meltdown.
When going through an airport, bookend your kids with one parent upfront and one taking the rear (if possible) to ensure you don’t lose any little stragglers along the way, and keep them moving quickly through checkpoints.

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Where #STEM Took Us at the #SciFest 2018 Expo

Posted on April 9, 2018

I sojourned down to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC this past weekend as a guest of Razor to check out some of the various science, technology, engineering and math-related exhibits, stage shows, demonstrations and information being showcased to get children interested in these fields at the annual US Science and Engineering Expo. The event included exhibitors, performers, speakers, partners, sponsors and advisors for major academic centers, colleges and universities, leading research institutes, government agencies, cutting-edge high tech companies, museums and community organizations.

Oh and lots of science and tech camps! Here is an Official Map of the exhibitors, shows and presentations.

I took my eldest son, who is almost 16 and is interested in gaming and so much so, he is in the process of building his very own computer from scratch!

When we arrived mid afternoon on Saturday, April 7, inside, the 2.3K square foot convention hall which takes up three city blocks was electrifying and bustling with families, school kids, neighborhood and community groups in coordinated tops milling about in excitement.

Our first stop was our host Razor which agreed to generously gift us a Razor scooter and cool socks in advance of writing about our experience at the Expo. All two days of the Expo, the Razor booth had a steady stream of fans stopping by to check out the latest products and innovation of the disruptive company that transformed the experience of scooters.

Reps showed us the latest best seller, a pair of electric roller jets that go for themselves! Very cool! My how times have changed from my day of wearing plane metal roller skates on the streets of DC.

I was excited to learn that the scooters made by this top seller of skateboards, hoverboards, trikes and electric bikes have come. One of the more popular and newest products Razor sells these days is the Turbo Jets . They were on display anda brand ambassador wearing the crowd gathered around how to just start skating and then relax as the electric-powered heel wheels amp up to 80-watt, kicking the geared-drive motor that gives the user a boost. The Jets can travel as fast at 10 mph. They looked relatively easy to use and appeared durable from my review and touch. Watch more here:

SEE SOME OF THE VIDEOS HERE:

#ClickThru to check out the pics and vids from @razorworldwide’s exhibit at This weekend’s @USAScienceFest at DC Convention Center. Check out more videos and pics of other aspects of the expo on the blog. Link in bio. #SwipeLeft #spon
A post shared by Bellyitch_Blog – renewed!! (@bellyitch) on Apr 9, 2018 at 8:29am PDT

Another rep gave us a peek at how the spark pads, which are part of the Razor Spark Scooter’s braking mechanism, work. They give off real sparks when the user brakes! Very cool! It reminded me of the character Marty McFly’s Hoverboard in the 80s movie Back To The Future II.

Just so you know, she also shared with me that guests of the convention last weekend (and shhhhhh readers of this Blog too) can take advantage of 15% off using this coupon code. That’s a savings of close to $20 off the Turbo Jets which currently retail for $129 on the Razor website, bringing the cost down to a little over $100! That’s a steal. There is FREE shipping on all online orders through the website.

I’m not sure when the coupon code expires so hop on it fast!

Eldest and I then went on to enjoy the rest of the Expo, making stops through Physics Row, the NASA exhibit, some Nature Science displays and caught the last of the stage performances of the day, hip hop scientist Grand Hank.

I missed but would have loved to see Honda’s robot Asimo do a demonstration. Here is a video another attendee captured:

Unbelievable balance. Adjust center of gravity after each step. #SciFest @USAScienceFest @ASIMO pic.twitter.com/md2yOOWhtp
— LMESquad (@LMESRobotics) April 8, 2018

Other stage performanceswe missed that day or that took place the next day include: Science Cheerleaders, Stunt Science showing behind-the-scenes of Spider-Man and Other Hollywood movies, Explosive Science, Mathemagician Art Benjamin, Explosive Science and more.

There was just too much to do and see in one day and in hindsight, I’m kicking myself for not starting earlier in the day so we could have gone downstairs to explore the expansive displays including College and Career row because it’s time for eldest to start exploring colleges. He is also interested in Robotics and there was an entire section on that area of tech.

On the way, we could have explored the halls that included the World Wildlife Foundation display, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Color of STEM Pavilion featuring Black Girl Code and Howard University. and the Lockheed Martin Orbit and Robo Lab, National Security and Homeland Security displays

Better luck and better planning NEXT YEAR!

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You’d Never Guess Which Family Planning and New Baby Expenses are Actually Tax Deductible!

Posted on April 6, 2018

photo: Bruce Mars

By: Brian Ashcraft, Regional Director for Corporate, Liberty Tax Service

So, you and your significant other are ready to take the plunge and add a new baby to your household. Good for you.

I’m guessing you’re not thinking about taxes as you make this decision, and that’s totally understandable.

But babies do change your tax situation, so I thought I’d share a few of the tax deductions and credits available to families in 2018.

Before Baby

Pregnancy Test Kits. Birth Control Pills. Fertility Enhancement. These count as medical expense deductions. For medical expenses to be deductible, you’ll have to itemize your tax deductions, and your medical expenses must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income.

Expecting Baby

Nursing moms can include the cost of breast pumps and supplies in their medical expense deductions. Lactation expenses are also deductible as are laboratory fees that may be a part of your medical care.

The New Arrival

The tax deduction that comes with your new arrival can’t match the joy, but this still should make you happy. Under the new tax law, the child tax credit has doubled to $2,000 per qualifying child. And, unlike a tax deduction, which reduces the amount of your income subject to tax, a tax credit reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar.

Planning for Baby’s Future

The new tax law lets parents save tax-free for their child’s education. Under the law you can use up to $10,000 per child from a 529 plan to pay qualified expenses for elementary and secondary school and home school. The 529 plans can also be used to pay for college.

Speaking of college, if you want to think that far ahead, two tax credits are available to help with qualified educational expenses. Those credits are the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which provides a credit of up to $2,500 for qualified tuition and expenses for the first four years of college, and the Lifetime Learning Credit, which provides up to $2,000 per return.

I apologize if I’ve gotten too far ahead of you by talking about schooling and college and all those things. I’ll bring it back to the here and now by reminding you that whether your bundle of joy is born on January 1 or December 31 of the year, you can take a full $2,000 child tax credit.

And remember, as your child grows, the tax code is bound to change. You’ll want to make sure you get all the tax deductions to which your family is entitled. The best way to do that is to talk with a tax professional. It’s their job to keep up with the tax code. And, because they do their job, you can do yours, enjoying life with your new addition.

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About the Author

Brian Ashcraft is the Regional Director for Corporate for Liberty Tax Service, a leading tax preparation franchise. Brian

Ashcraft is responsible for engaging with franchisees and developing systems and processes that help them meet goals. He works with company leaders at the corporate office in Virginia Beach and with independent owners at franchise locations across the United States and Canada.

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Clinic That Accidentally Destroyed 4K Cancer Patients Embryos Sued

Posted on April 5, 2018

The University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center is facing dozens of legal actions after the failure in early March of a cryopreservation tank containing approximately 4,000 eggs and embryos belonging to at least 950 families.

“We currently represent well over 100 clients whose cases we will pursue as individual claims. That number is growing by the day,” Cleveland attorney Tom Merriman said Monday.

Also Monday, attorney Gloria Allred threw her hat into the ring, announcing litigation on behalf of three Pittsburgh women who are all cancer survivors.

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DC: Get Your Kids’ STEM On at This Weekend’s Science and Engineering Festival Expo

Posted on April 4, 2018

There are major initiatives worldwide, and especially in the United States to promoted STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Education among the youth. An absolutely wonderful and cost-free opportunity to get your little ones interests piqued is traveling the country and lands in Washington, DC this weekend.

The 5th USA Science & Engineering Festival Expo will go down at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday, on April 7-8, 2018! It is the nation’s largest celebration of #STEM! #SciFest will host over 2 million square feet of hands-on science.

HERE IS A RECAP from A PAST EXPO

Founded by serial entrepreneur Larry Bock and Lockheed Martin executives to address the severe shortage in science and tech talent, the festival was developed to ignite the next generation’s interest in pursuing careers in science and engineering.

“Our nation’s future relies on encouraging more kids to go into STEM careers. By hosting the nation’s largest science festival, we are hoping to capture their imaginations by introducing them to science rock stars and engaging them in real science projects.” explained Marc Schulman, Festival executive director.

Your pre-school to college age children will get their chance to explore 3,000 hands-on exhibits from the world’s leading scientific and engineering societies, universities, government agencies, high-tech corporations and STEM organizations.

The two-day Expo is perfect for children, teens, and families who want to inspire their curious minds.