For being an industrialized nation, the United States falls woefully behind even some developing nations when it comes to paid leave for parents to have families. This infographic looks at parental leave in the US as compared to the rest of the world. Policies are changing and private companies are stepping up, but is it enough?
 |
| My family’s carbon footprint |
Horrible friends are like cockroaches—they are hard to get rid of, and sometimes, you don’t even know that you have them. Here are a few tried and true signs I’ve found that will help you determine whether your friend is totally horrible, so you can ditch them, like, yesterday.
They talk s–t about everyone. I have a theory about gossips, and that theory is that if they talk trash about other people to you, then what makes you think they don’t talk trash about you to everyone else they know? The answer: They totally do. Time to ditch this crappy friend.
Read the rest.
Check out 7 Signs Someone Is a Horrible Friend
by Storybook Apothecary at Mode
To soothe your pain of having to fork up all that money to Uncle Sam, some enterprising companies are inviting in tax payers to come in for some freebies and cheapies! First national offers, then some ones local to Bellyitch’s headquarters, the Washington, DC metropolitan area!
Enjoy!
DC Area Specific:
Regularly, friends and potential partners and others send us lots of fun items, services and other products to check out. We do an informal review and periodically share our impressions of them with you guys. Our swag closet of stuff has been brimming and we’ve been checking out some of the inventive, innovative and yummy goodies that make life easier for moms, family and others.
Here are 7 things we’re digging this Spring!
1. RawSpiceBar is a subscription box that delivers 3 freshly ground, exotic and global flavors from around the world for $6/month. Each box includes three kitchen-tested recipes and an origin & history of spices from that region. The creators collaborate with chefs who have an expertise in one specific region or geography, ensuring authenticity of each of our flavors and dishes. Past spice boxes have included Istanbul, Navajo, Japanese, among many others.
Over 3,000 customers and more are enjoying the boxes and the company was recently featured in The Kitchn, Tasting Table & Lifehacker. Nice! Per the company, here are a few highlights about Raw Spice Bar”
We got the Ethiopian kit and made some Shiro, and Mesir Wot with Injera using the spices. It was really good and almost authentic. At least it looked authentic. (smile)
2. Spring Cleaning also means redocorating and hooking up the backyard and other areas for entertainment given that the warmer months of the year are prime time for having guests over the house. Re-invigorate a room with new easy-to-install recessed lighting.
You can update the look of your kitchen, bedroom, or bathroom lighting fixtures using EzClipse which require absolutely no tools to install. They are idiot proof. In fact, I easily attached them to our recessed lighting and the effect is a new look in no time. It’s a relatively super cheap way to bring a room to life as the clips run between $20 to $50 each! Sweet!
EzClipse magnetically attaches directly to the metal trim of recessed light fixtures, changing the décor in just seconds. EzClipse offers three lines o flight conversion to revamp drab lighting fixtures: Choose from Low Profile, Stylish or Shade options that offer something for any room in your home.
3. If you are having a Spring or Summer Baby and are entering into your final trimester in pregnancy, it may be time get your hands on a Belli Ultimate Stretch Mark Protection Kit.
The kit includes:
WASH with Pure & Pampered Body Wash to gently cleanse without stripping skin of its natural oils. It is lavender scented. Hmmm. My favorite relaxing scent;
PREP with Fresh Start Pre-Treatment Scrub to wash away dead skin cells and reveal new, healthy. This is great because when you are pregnant, your skin can get very oily and so periodic facial scrubs are essential for keeping the skin fresh. Belli’s PREP does the trick and is infused with essential peppermint oil which is wonderful for calming nausea;
PROTECT with Elasticity Belly Oil by massaging into skin morning and night anywhere skin needs to stretch. You really cannot avoid stretch marks if your body and skin is predisposed to get them, but it doesn’t hurt to keep amply moisturized your thighs, shoulders, arms and other areas where stretching happens during pregnancy. This product has Gotu Kola extract and Vitamin E, both which are known for combating scarring. It also has a nice fragrant lavendar oil scent to it; and finally,
MOISTURIZE with All Day Moisture Body Lotion, a luxurious cream that deeply moisturizes and comforts dry skin. This product containts essential lemon oil and Elasticity Belly Oil’s lavender which offer a spa-like experience. Belli Skincare products are allergy tested, free of paraben preservatives, phthalates, and artificial dyes or fragrances, and made in the USA. And, for expecting and new moms the products are teratology screened to avoid ingredients with even remote links to birth defects or miscarriage in published medical studies, snd Lactmed screened to avoid any ingredients that could be harmful if passed through breast milk.
The Belli Ultimate Stretch Mark Protection Kit is $75 available at belliskincare.com.
4. If baby has arrived and you are looking for a video monitor, consider Motorola’s MBP853CONNECT and MBP853CONNECT-2 wi-fi baby monitors that help you keep up with your day-to-day tasks, while keeping a watchful eye on your baby!
Product highlights include: Wi-fi capable; a high sensitivity microphone to pick up every tiny whimper or cry from baby; an out-of-range alert that tells you when you’ve ventured too deep in the yard or basement so that you won’t be able to get the benefit of the monitor; a room temperature display so you are reminded if the nursery is overheated or too cold; a two-way communication function so you can call down to a family member to bring up a bottle, toy, blanket while you are feeding, rocking the baby to sleep or entertaining baby and don’t want to leave the room; infrared night vision so you can check out baby even if the lights are all off in the nursery and 5 lullabies that play to shussh baby back to sleep or keep them sleeping through a nap.
It’s about $200 and worth the security.
5. It’s time to show off the nails and toes again. We are fans of DIY nail design on the blog and we know now that Kiseque makes Liquid Palisade which is a unique painter tape for at-home manicures. They’re a must-have and we’re loving creating different designs.
6. For baby showers and baby’s First Birthday, consider gifting your little one or a new baby in the family a personalized books. I have several of these for each of my children. I See Me creates them and the quality is exquisite! They are also wonderful baptism and Godparent gifts for first personalized books and gifts. I got the My Snuggle Bunny book for my new Goddaughter and niece and it was a hit at the baby shower!
It drew in lots of ooohs and aaaahs! Definitively a gift that helps you shine at the shower.
7. If you want to send a gift to someone who is getting better in the hospital, just had a baby, or are thinking of something yummy to give to mom for Mother’s Day, consider checking out Matthews 1812 House which has a variety of decadent desserts for Mom. From tasty cookies like the Triple Chocolate Cookies, to succulent brownies like the Chocolate Chip Brownie Bar, to salty sweets like the Parmesan Cheese Bites, Mom will love these mouthwatering gifts. Plus, a variety of gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan items are available, making them a perfect fit for every mom!
We got a sample in our office the other day and it lasted less than a day they were that good! The packaging is attractive and mom (or grandmom or a Godmom to your kids) will love it!
There you have it, 7 super cool products to check out this Spring and for Mom’s Day, Baby Showers, Baptisms and other events in your life. Enjoy!
It’s that season again! Spring brings all sorts of great things like warmer weather and nicer days but it also is the season for allergies. Not fun if you are pregnant. Experiment with a nasal saline spray. A nasal saline is just salt water that helps to fight against worsening of allergies during pregnancies. Besides, they are not harmful to the fetus. Spray the nasal saline spray into the nostrils and blow your nose after a minute.
Here is our curated tips help them cope with allergies during pregnancy:
The key to coping with allergies during pregnancy is taking proper medications. Ensure that you talk to your doctor about medication during pregnancy.
This year, we all got an extension for the deadline to file our taxes because the traditional date falls on the District of Columbia’s holiday, Emancipation Day which celebrates the end of slavery in DC. So instead of April 15, this year taxes are due on April 29, 2016!
So as you prepare to file and head off to the tax man last minute, here are 5 credits parents need to know about and should consider claiming this year.
1. Exemptions for dependents
You can claim your new baby as a dependent, which, for 2015, exempts $4,000 of your hard-earned money from taxation. For 2016, this number actually goes up to $4,050. This exemption is phased out at certain income levels. For 2015 taxes, the limit is $258,250 for single parents and $309,000 for married couples filing jointly. For 2016, the limits are $259,400 and $311,300, respectively. Similarly, you can’t claim an exemption if you’re subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax.
2. Child Tax Credit
Depending on your income, you may be able to claim a $1,000 tax credit every year until your child reaches age 17. Better yet, you can start claiming the credit the year your child is born, even if that doesn’t happen until December. In other words, if you had a baby on Dec. 31, 2015, you can still snag that $1,000 for 2015. Sweet!
Remember, unlike with deductions, credits lower your tax bill dollar for dollar. However, similar to exemptions for dependents, the child tax credit phases out at higher income levels, though you cannot even claim it until you’ve earned more than $75,000 if you’re single or $110,000 if you’re married and filing jointly. The credit has the ability to reduce your tax liability to zero, but it is not refundable, meaning, it cannot count towards a refund from the IRS! Booo!!
3. Earned Income Tax Credit
Don’t worry those of you in the low to moderate income bracket, the Earned Income Tax Credit makes you eligible for up to 3,359. However, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax benefit for those with with only one qualifying child. And the EITC is a fully refundable credit, which means that if it’s more than large enough to reduce your tax liability to zero, then you’ll receive any remaining credit money as a refund from the IRS.
Yippeee!
4. Child and Dependent Care Credit
Childcare costs increases each year and makes up the chunk of most family budgets. The Child and Dependent Care Credit lets you claim up to 35% of the cost of qualifying child care expenses (such as a day care center or summer camp) up to a maximum of $3,000 for one child under 13, or $6,000 for two or more children under 13. For example, if you have an infant in day care and pay $5,000 per year, you can claim up to $1,050 (35% of the $3,000 maximum) as a tax credit depending on your income.
Lower income people who earn less than $15,000 can qualify for the full 35%. That percentage falls by 1% for every additional $2,000 of income you earn until it reaches 20% for an income of $43,000 or more. You must have earned income to qualify for the credit, and if you’re married, you must file a joint tax return. Additionally, you must have paid a child care provider for the purpose of enabling you and your spouse to either work or look for work.
Unlike some other credits, this one doesn’t have an income limit, however families with Stay-At-Home moms who have a nanny caring for the kids can NOT take this credit. It is also refundable.
5. Adoption credit
If you adopted a kid last year, you can claim up $13,400 per child for qualified adoption expenses. This credit phases out, depending on the income at $201,010 which is a higher income phase out level compared to the income level for the child tax and child care credits. Though this credit was once refundable, that’s no longer the case . However, any credit in excess of your tax liability can be carried forward for up to five years.
Of course, keeping track of all these tax breaks could prove challenging when you’re juggling the dozens of daily tasks that come with raising children. But when you sit down to do your taxes this year, it pays to see whether you’re eligible for any of them, because any amount of money can go a long way toward diapers, school supplies, and the ever-growing list of supplies you’ll need to navigate the wild and crazy journey that is parenthood.
We could not let National Unicorn Day pass without giving you an opportunity to find out what kind of unicorn you may be.
Take this quiz!
Whether you are pregnant, have a new baby, or a vet parent, going out with your partner or spouse without the children (if you already have them) is essential to keep the spark in your relationship alive!
Here are 25 Date Night ideas of things to consider for a night soon with your sweetheart!
There you have it! Plenty of ideas to get you thinking! Enjoy!
Are you looking for a quick and easy trick you can play on your family or co-workers for April Fool’s Day tomorrow?
Bored Panda put together a nifty list and these are the 10 I think are most practical and simple to pull off in time.
Batman138 Bro138 Dolar138 Gas138 Gudang138 Hoki99 Ligaciputra Panen77 Zeus138 Kilat77 Planet88 Gaspol168 Sikat88 Rupiah138 Garuda138 Gacor77 Roma77 Sensa138 Panen138 Slot138 Gaco88 Elanggame Candy99 Cair77 Max7 Best188 Space77 Sky77 Luxury777 Maxwin138 Bosswin168 Cocol88 Slot5000 Babe138 Luxury138 Jet77 Bonanza138 Bos88 Aquaslot Taktik88 Lord88 Indobet Slot69 Paus138 Tiktok88 Panengg Bingo4d Stars77 77dragon Warung168 Receh88 Online138 Tambang88 Asia77 Klik4d Bdslot88 Gajah138 Bigwin138 Markas138 Yuk69 Emas168 Key4d Harta138 Gopek178 Imbaslot Imbajp Deluna4d Luxury333 Pentaslot Luxury111 Cair77 Gboslot Pandora188 Olxtoto Slotvip Eslot Kuy138 Imbagacor Bimabet
