Do These 5 Things to Keep Your Kid From Catching a Cold This Winter

Posted on December 29, 2017

It’s inevitable that from time to time you and your child will be exposed to people who have a cold or who are spreading airborne germs. While the odds are that your child will catch the occasional cold, there are certainly a few ways to reduce the number of colds that she gets.

Try to keep ahead of the germs. Disinfecting wipes or a water and bleach solution can be used for this task. Make sure that you are regularly cleaning door knobs, handles, cabinets, toys, and anything else that little hands might come into contact with. For every gallon of water, 1 ½ teaspoons of bleach should be added to create a solution to disinfect surfaces and toys. For diapering and toileting areas, 1 tablespoon of bleach can be added to 1 gallon of water. Let the bleach solution sit for 2 minutes before wiping it down. If you are worried about your child coming into contact with chemicals, look for all-natural sanitizing solutions. You’ll also want to make sure that everyone in the house frequently washes their hands with warm water and soap.
Change toothbrushes often. Toothbrushes can harbor germs and re-infect your child if the germs are not killed. Dentists recommend that toothbrushes be replaced every 3 months if you are healthy, more often if you are not. Toothbrushes should also be replaced after an illness. To kill germs soak the toothbrush in antiseptic mouthwash for 5 minutes or run your toothbrush through the dishwasher. Warning: Boiling your toothbrush or running it through the dishwasher will wear out the bristles faster.
Feed your child a healthy diet. If your child eats a proper diet it will strengthen his immune system and he will be better able to fight off cold-causing germs. Make sure he eats plenty of fruits and vegetables, as these contain the proper vitamins and minerals needed to build up his body’s natural defenses. Eating foods high in vitamins is better for absorption of those vitamins than taking vitamin tablets.
Encourage your child to drink plenty of water. Water not only keeps your body hydrated during the very dry winter season, but it helps your body flush out unwanted toxins. Water also helps your lymph system run better, which is part of your body’s immune system, and it fights off illness.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Sleeping is extremely important, and most people don’t get enough of it. Doctors recommend that children sleep 10-11 hours per night. A lack of sleep can affect how well your child grows because the body produces a growth hormone during sleep. Digestion also takes place during sleep. Bodies need this down time to recover and rebuild after a busy day of being a kid. By getting enough sleep the body is better prepared to fight off germs.

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5 Creative Ways to Store Christmas Decorations to Avoid Headaches Next Year

Posted on December 28, 2017

What is the one thing that takes the longest to do and is the most frustrating part of putting up the Christmas tree? The lights! Christmas lights have a knack for getting tangled up into knots, which is a large reason why so many artificial trees now come pre-lit – untangling and stringing lights just isn’t a lot of fun. This year when you put your tree away try one of these methods for keeping your lights tangle free for next year:

1. Cardboard– Recycle some of the cardboard that you received with gifts or from boxes in the mail for this do it yourself light storage project. Cut some heavy pieces of cardboard into a rectangle that is about 12 inches by 6 inches. Just guestimate, it doesn’t need to be exact. Take a pair of heavy duty scissors and cut a notch on one side so you can hook one end of the lights into the notch. Then start wrapping the lights around the cardboard.

When you are done wrapping you can check to see where the end of your cord is and then cut another notch along the side to attach the end of the cord. Recycle some tissue paper that you received over Christmas to turn into the padding that you need between the layers of lights. This way the lights will stay tangle free and not get broken.

2. Use a power cord holder– There are many different cord holders on the market, but you will want to look for the ones that are for the big outdoor electrical cords. Wind the lights up on the cord holder so that you can hang them on hooks on the wall in the garage instead of throwing them into boxes. If the cord holder is big enough, just keep plugging the lights into each other and keep winding. Now most or all of your lights are all in one place safe and sound for next year.

3. Wire zip ties– Your answer to keeping lights tangle free might be wire zip ties. These zip ties are inexpensive, so it won’t matter if you need new ones every year. Wrap the light string around the palm of your hand and your elbow to put the lights into a circle. Take the zip ties and secure the lights in 3 places. The lights won’t get tangled up and you have very little invested very little time or money. Place each string into a recycled grocery sack to keep the bulbs from banging into each other.

4. Zip top bags– Plug the male end of the cord into the female end of the same cord and loosely place the light string into a quart or gallon sized zip top bag. The string won’t become tangled and it will stay clean because it’s zipped up tight. The bag will protect the bulbs from banging against other strings as well.

5. Pringles can- Recycle some chip cans for your light storage. Cut a hole in the top for one end of the cord and then snap the lid onto the can. Wrap the light string around the chip can going all the way to the bottom and then back up to the top. Work it so the end of the cord can be stuck into the lid as well. Now the lights will be tangle free and you can stand up the storage in another box or container. If you are worried about the bulbs crashing into each other in the box you can lightly wrap tissue paper around the wound up lights before you set them in the storage bin.

Spending a few extra minutes this year putting away your lights with one of these tangle free ideas will save you time and frustration next year. Keep your eyes open to other objects you could also recycle for light string storage. Consider using an oatmeal box or a wrapping paper tube. Nothing is off limits when you use your imagination.

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Before You Vow to Keep that New Year’s Resolution….READ THIS!

Posted on December 26, 2017

If you are planning on making a New Year’s Resolution, you know the odds of keeping it is not very good, but chin up! There are tricks and tips that are available to help you maintain your “New Year, New You” goals.

These 5 infographics break down the Resolutions game we all play each year and offer tips for not being a statistical quitter.

the-most-common-and-commonly-broken-new-year’s-resolutions-1 - Copy

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Which Holiday Movie Are You? (QUIZ)

Posted on December 25, 2017

Thrillist released its list of the top Christmas movies of all time. I was happy to see a lot of my faves on the list including A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, Home Alone, Bad Santa, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Best Man Holiday, Eye’s Wide Shut, The Polar Express, While You Were Sleeping, Scrooged. I haven’t seen but plan to watch during the break The Nightmare Before Christmas and Elf.

You can check out the other films on the list here!

Ever wanted to know which Christmas Movie you would be? Take the quiz below:

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50+ Classic American And Multicultural World Christmas Books

Posted on December 24, 2017

Christmas is a magical time of year for both kids and adults alike. The kids are out of school, the holiday cheer keeps everyone in high spirits, and spending time together as a family is at the top of everyone’s priority list. One hallmark of the Christmas season is the wide variety of Christmas stories, both new and old, that you can tell your child. One way to really get into the Christmas spirit is to curl up by the fire with your kids, hot cocoa in hand, and read them one of these 10 popular Christmas stories:

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – This story is actually a poem that was written in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore. The poem was the first of its kind to describe Santa and his sleigh, and contributed largely to how people picture Santa today. Moore wrote this poem for his children, but it was later published in the newspaper and was so popular that it was reprinted year after year.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – Dr. Seuss is at it again, this time with a rather surly furry green character who hates Christmas. The Grinch is sick of everyone being so cheerful at Christmastime that he decides he’s going to steal Christmas. However, the kindness shown to him by one little girl melts his heart, and he ends up giving everything back while learning the true meaning of Christmas.
A Christmas Carol – A classic story written by Charles Dickens, this Christmas tale talks about a crabby old man named Scrooge who is a penny-pinching, miserable man. He is estranged from his own family and treats his workers terribly. Scrooge is visited by three ghosts one night who show him what Christmas really means. The story ends when he wakes up on Christmas morning, just in time to make amends.
The Polar Express – Chris Van Allsburg writes a story about a boy who isn’t quite sure if Santa is real or not. He boards a train that appears in his backyard one night and is swept away on the adventure of a lifetime to the North Pole. While there, he meets elves and ghosts who convince him that Santa really does exist, and when ends up back at home it’s with a firm belief in Santa again.
Christmas in the Big Woods – One of many Laura Ingalls Wilder books, this one tells the story of Laura’s life during Christmas in their home in the big woods of Wisconsin. This book is an excellent choice for very young children.
The Gift of the Magi – This story is about a couple who has very little money, but still want to give each other a Christmas gift. The woman has long beautiful hair, and it’s the thing she is most proud of. Her husband has a pocket watch that belonged to his grandfather, and he loves this family heirloom. The wife decides to sell her hair to buy her husband a chain for his pocket watch and the husband sells his pocket watch to buy combs for his wife’s beautiful hair. The story is compared to the magi that brought gifts to the newborn king.
Christmas in Camelot – A Magic Tree House book by Mary Pope Osborne. Jack and Annie travel to Camelot in the magic tree house to find a cup, a key and a compass in order to save Camelot from the evil wizard Mordred. The kids prove to the king that kids can be useful.
Meet Santa Bear – As in most books by Stan and Jan Berenstain, there is a lesson to be learned in this book. Although, in this book, the lesson is really more about getting answers to difficult questions, like “how does Santa get down a skinny chimney?” or “how does the sleigh land without snow on the ground?” These questions, and others, are answered in this Berenstain Bear book.
The Year Without a Santa Claus – The author, Phyllis McGinley, pens this story about the year Santa decides to take the year off because he doesn’t think anyone believes in him anymore. He leaves two elves in charge and they make a mess of things. Heat Miser and Cold Miser make their debut in this book and subsequent cartoon. Santa comes to the rescue and realizes that there are some believers left and changes his mind.
The Christmas Sweater – Glenn Beck writes this story, which contains some autobiographical elements. The main character is young Eddie, who wants a new bike for Christmas with all of his heart. He knows his mom can’t afford it, but he wants it anyway. Christmas day comes and he gets a sweater that his mom made herself and he is so bitter and disappointed that he throws the sweater in the corner and leaves it. He goes through a rough patch and finally gets some mentoring from a neighbor named Russell who helps him understand what a great gift the sweater really is.

For some diversity:

Christmas Books for Kids All Around the World

Books About Christmas in Mexico

20 Multicultural Christmas Books for Children

Swedish Christmas Books

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Movie-themed and Other Fabulous Family Christmas Cards

Posted on December 23, 2017

Every year, certain families go out of their way to make pretty creative family Christmas Cards.

They wow and dazzle the recipients who get to place them on their fridge door or assemble them on the mantle for all visitors to admire and comment off for the year.

If you’re such a family and you’re looking for inspiration, I curated some pretty awesome, fun and hilarious portraits!

Loved the ones based on famous movies and tv shows

The Breakfast Club
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A Christmas Story

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National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

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The Peanuts Gang

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Game of Thrones

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Sparkle

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Elf

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We love the colorful ones

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The creative black and whites are phenom!

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Interchangeable faces are so creative

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How Much You should Tip Your Nanny For Christmas

Posted on December 22, 2017

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again – It’a Christmastime!

Along with all the friends and family you have on your gift giving list, you’re also probably trying to figure out how much to tip your nanny. You want to say thanks for the wonderful care she provides, for the extra things she does without being asked, and for all the days when she goes above and beyond to make your life a little easier. But how much is enough?

The industry standard for a Christmas tip or bonus is one to two weeks’ salary. However, there are several factors that affect what’s right for your particular situation. Here are some things to think about when deciding on an amount.

Your budget. For some families, one or two weeks’ salary is simply not in the budget. If it’s a stretch financially for you to even afford a nanny, it’s probably next to impossible to add on several hundred dollars to her end of year check. The good news is your nanny probably understands your financial limitations. Especially if she knows you sacrifice throughout the year to pay her a fair and competitive wage. In those situations, it’s a good bet your nanny doesn’t expect a big tip and will be happy to receive a little extra cash during the holiday season. It really is the thought behind the gift that matters. The important thing is to show your caregiver that you appreciate all her hard work and to say thank you for the great care she gives to your child.

She’s a new employee. If you’ve recently hired your nanny, you’re not expected to give her a hefty tip at the end of the year. She understands that she’s new to the job and hasn’t put the time in to earn an extra week’s salary. However you want to make sure that you still give her a gift or bonus that says you appreciate the work she does. A $50 gift card to her favorite store or $100 cash bonus is always a welcome surprise.

She’s a long time employee. If your nanny has been with your family for several years, the amount she receives will be higher than average. Not only are you saying thank you for the great work she does, you’re letting her know how much you appreciate and value her loyalty and dedication to your family. This is especially true for long term nannies that aren’t receiving regular raises because they’ve hit the hourly rate ceiling. The end of the year bonus is the perfect way to provide a financial reward for a job well done.

Her regular pay rate. Generally, nannies that make an average or above average hourly rate or salary receive a larger end of year tip than those that make a below average hourly rate or salary. This is a reflection of what the family is able to afford rather than the nanny’s value to the family or her performance. The idea is that families that can afford to pay their nannies competitively throughout the year can also afford to provide the standard bonus of one to two weeks’ salary. Of course, just because they can afford to provide it doesn’t mean they have to. Ultimately the bonus is a way of saying thank you. Families that do provide a generous tip do so because they genuinely recognize the great work their nanny is doing.

Her compensation package. If you’re providing your nanny with valuable benefits throughout the year, like health insurance, extra paid time off, or professional development dollars, you can give a much smaller end of year tip. Nannies recognize the extra costs involved in offering those benefits and are happy with the trade-off. Again, you still want to offer a small $50 or $100 gift card or cash gift as a thank you.

Other bonuses she receives during the year. Some nannies receive a bonus on their nannyiversary, the yearly anniversary of their hire date. If you celebrate that date with your nanny and give her a bonus each year on her nannyiversary, your end of year tip need only be a small holiday or cash gift – something to let your nanny know you’re thinking of her and appreciate having her in your life.

The end of year tip or bonus for your nanny is a perfect way to say thank you to an important person in your life. A perfect companion to a gift is a card with a heartfelt message inside that lets her know you value all she does for your family.

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All the Ways to Get Your Pre-Baby Tummy Back

Posted on December 21, 2017

Pregnancy commonly leaves the skin around the belly stretched out and it is not that easy to get that pre-baby tummy back. Some are fortunate that working out and ab exercises help tighten the skin naturally.

Then there are others, the majority of us, who just concede to live life with those battle scars. A lot of people get the surgery and non-invasive procedures like tummy tucks, laser treatment and more to tighten the tummy. The exact method you choose to utilize will depend on factors like your budget and time constraints, as well as how severe your skin wrinkling and sagging is.

Using Sound to Tighten Up Your Sagging Skin

It may seem strange, but there are several forms of sound-based therapy which can cause processes within your body to occur. Namely, there are sound-based methods which can be used to get your body to make more of the hormones and other materials that help to make skin healthy and smooth, including collagen. One form of sound wave therapy is called radio frequency therapy. Another involves the use of ultrasound technology to stimulate the cells. Both can be quite effective if you have mild skin sagging and wish to reverse or slow down the skin loosening process.

Using Light and Heat to Tighten Your Skin Instead

If your skin has reached a more moderate level then sound wave treatment may not be enough to correct it. Instead, you may need to use light and heat to treat it. That light and heat comes in the form of treatment using one of the many types of medical cosmetic equipment for sale today which incorporate lasers. Some lasers perform topical treatments like laser skin peels to remove surface blemishes and reduce mild wrinkles. Other lasers perform treatments which treat all layers of skin and can help you by getting your body to continually repair itself. Such treatments tend to be better if your skin sagging has reached a moderate stage or you are struggling with deep wrinkles.

Your Age May Impact Your Treatment Options

Aside from your current skin condition you must also consider your age when deciding on a skincare treatment for sagging skin. Certain treatment methods work better on people with particular skin characteristics. For example, skin tends to become thinner with age. It can also become more dry. If your skin has such traits then your skincare specialist may try to prevent you from trying certain skincare treatments and recommend others, instead.

Skin Tightening Procedures Are Rarely Painful

Although you are likely to feel any skincare procedure you choose, treatments such as laser therapy should never be particularly painful. The most you are meant to feel is a little discomfort or heat during such a procedure. Due to the limited immediate impact of such treatments you also typically won’t have to worry about taking time to recover after your treatment. Side effects are usually very limited such as mild redness for a short time after treatment and, in some cases, you may not experience any side effects at all.

Have a Consultation to Determine the Skin Tightening Method for You

If you aren’t sure which type of skin tightening procedure you need the best solution is to consult with a skincare professional. By assessing your skin type and its current condition your clinician or dermatologist can make recommendations about treatment. That will help you to narrow down your choices to a couple of options, or in some cases pinpoint an exact treatment that will be best in your case.

Expect Skin Tightening to be a Continuing Process

The health of your skin will naturally continue to degrade as you age and as it is exposed to internal and external influences. Therefore, even if you have your skin tightened professionally, you will develop future wrinkles and sags eventually. That’s why you must factor in ongoing expenses into your skin tightening treatment plan if you want to maintain the positive results you get during initial skincare appointments.

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These are The 10 Best Place Places to Hide Gifts From the Kids

Posted on December 19, 2017

When the kids are little it usually isn’t all that difficult to keep their gifts a secret, but as they begin to get older and understand that Christmas entails receiving gifts, they tend to get a little more inquisitive and may start poking around trying to find out where you’re hiding the presents. If you think your kids are going to be poking around before Christmas in an attempt to locate their gifts, try these 10 different places for hiding them away from their prying eyes:

Trunk of the car – If the present isn’t going to be affected by heat or cold, keeping it in the trunk of your car is a great hiding spot because the kids rarely have a reason to be in the car without you being there too. Just don’t forget you stashed them there and send the kids to get something out of your trunk!
Empty suitcases – These are the best hiding places! Those suitcases sit there day in and day out and no one has any need to move them or look at them. You can hide quite a bit of small gifts in one of the larger suitcases, however, if you have an overly bulky item you may need to think of another spot for it.
Under bed storage boxes – Most kids don’t have any reason to go under mom and dad’s bed, and the under the bed storage boxes will hold a lot of stuff. If you have a typical bed, you won’t be able to store very big items underneath it, but Barbie dolls and video games fit well!
The neighbor’s garage – If you and your neighbor are friends, this is the ideal hiding place for big items. You can put your item in a corner and cover it with a blanket. This is especially great if their kids aren’t little anymore so they can tell their kids the present out there isn’t theirs.
A box in the attic – Attics offer a perfect hiding space as long as it doesn’t double as a play area for the kids. Also, be sure that you don’t store things up there that might be affected by extreme heat or cold. Big items work well in an attic as long as you are strong enough to get them up there. Cover them up with a blanket and you are good to go.
Behind your clothes in the closet – Keep the kids out of your closet this time of year! Hiding presents behind long dresses and suit bags is a smart place to stash them because at first glance, the closet looks the same, and only you will know where you stashed the secret items. You can even use this spot to hide stuff for your spouse since it’s not likely he will move all of your dresses and shoes looking for his gifts.
Your work place – If you pick up some gifts on your lunch hour don’t bring them home, just leave them under your desk at work. Or, if they are expensive, you can lock them in your desk or file cabinet. Make sure the cleaning crew can be trusted.
Storage box in the garage – Buy a few extra storage boxes that match the ones you have in the garage already and hide the gifts in there. Then, store the boxes behind normal storage boxes in case someone would happen to look in one. Add an X or something on the box so that you will know where you stashed the gifts; it’s not good to lose the gifts you went to such lengths to hide!
High shelf in the closet – Use a coat closet or a guest closet to hide gifts in a box up on a high shelf. Put some blankets or other storage items in front of it so it won’t stand out if one of the kids is playing hide-n-seek and decides to hide in that closet.
Linen closet – Most kids probably don’t venture into the linen closet very often, and if they do it’s probably just to grab a towel. Hide small items on the top shelf in the back and no one will be the wiser. Closets in the laundry room work well for this too, as the kids rarely would have any need to go into the laundry room, let alone the closet in there.

Make sure you keep a list of your hiding places somewhere so that you know where everything is hidden. You don’t want to be scrambling around in the days leading up to Christmas trying to remember where you so carefully hid everything!

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Here are 10 Ways You Can Squeeze in A Work Out After Having Kids

Posted on December 18, 2017

Squeezing in a work out when you have children and a schedule that’s already overloaded isn’t easy. In addition, exercise may conjure up negative feelings because for some it implies long, strenuous hours in a musky gym. However, staying active is imperative to your physical, mental and emotional well-being, so finding convenient ways to sneak exercise into your daily routine is a must.

Make Yourself a Priority – To be the best parent you can be, you have to make sure you take care of yourself, too. This means keeping your physical and mental health a priority. Setting aside time for yourself each day, even if it’s only 20 minutes, is a way of getting into a routine that will allow you to spend a little time on yourself.
Just Breathe – Studies conducted by the Division of Internal Medicine at Aoyama Clinic in Niigata, Japan on the Senobi breathing technique and a 2006 American Heart Association-published study on pranayama yoga breathing exercises indicated that the way you breathe can affect your overall health and fitness. If you don’t have the time for a full work out, exploring these breathing techniques may be a helpful alternative.
When in Doubt, Stretch it Out – If you’ve missed your window of making it to the gym, spending just 10 minutes on the floor stretching each evening before crawling into bed or first thing in the morning before you start your day is a way of keeping limber and increasing your range of motion.
Play Dates Aren’t Just for the Kids – Set up play dates with other parents looking to incorporate exercise while supervising their little ones for the support and accountability of a dedicated work-out group. Brisk walks around the playground or jogging with the kids in strollers are options to buddy-up and stay motivated with other parents or your spouse.
Baby Weight – Who said that lifting weights had to include heavy barbells and awkward gym equipment? Some post-natal yoga classes are even designed to incorporate your child as resistance weight. Try doing lunges across the front yard while carrying baby in your arms or doing a few exercises of your own during baby’s tummy time.
Sleep it Off – In order to optimize the benefits of any exercise routine, you need to get plenty of rest. Find a routine that doesn’t leave you completely drained of energy or interfere with your parenting, but understand that sometimes it’s important to skip a work out and simply rest when you’re feeling exhausted.
No Sweat – Sweating brings fresh, oxygenated blood to tissues and organs and helps rid the body of toxins. It’s also a sign of the body working, but you don’t have to spend hours on a treadmill to break a sweat. Incorporate exercise into your daily activities. Have a dance party with your kids in the living room. Jog alongside your kids when they go for a bike ride. When possible, park farther away at the store and by-pass the elevator for the stairs. These kinds of minor changes add up and over time you will start to notice these tasks becoming easier and easier.
Mutual Investments – If running or walking is your favorite type of exercise, invest in a well-built stroller made to accommodate these kinds of activities. This will optimize your efforts and minimize your frustration when you’re on the go. Or, make it a family affair and purchase a video game console that offers games that use physical activities, such as dancing, as a way to connect with your kids and also get in a sweat session.
Sharing is Caring – Take advantage of your gym membership. Many gyms today have on-site day care services so that moms and dads can take a break from parenting and get in a work-out. If you’re not a member of a gym, you might opt for finding parents that are willing to work out a schedule so each of you has time to get out and exercise.
Stay Motivated – Keeping motivated is an issue for most, whether there are children involved or not. Making an effort to find things that motivate you can help you accomplish your goals. Music you groove to, gym classes you enjoy and people who inspire you are all great ways to keep you motivated. If you aren’t getting pleasure in what you’re doing or who you’re with, it is likely you will give up or quit. Instead, set goals and find inspiration to keep you going.

Truth be told, fitting exercise into your schedule when you have children all comes down to convenience and sustainability. If it’s not convenient, you’re not likely to continue with a particular regimen. Find an exercise program that fits your lifestyle and daily needs as a parent. Stay positive and don’t beat yourself up for missing a work out here and there. It’s possible to be a good parent and keep a fit lifestyle; you just have to find the right balance.

Photo: Bumbleride

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The Breakfast ClubSource

A Christmas Story

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

The Peanuts Gang

Game of Thrones

Sparkle

Elf

We love the colorful ones

The Breakfast Club
Source