Cascia Talbert's Blog, page 81

Be the Best Parent You Can Be With These 7 Tips

by Guest Author

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Be the Best Parent You Can Be With These 7 Tips

Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook or a set of rules, which makes it hard for some of us to feel like we’re doing a good job. However, being a parent also doesn’t mean that there is only one right way to do things. Every parent is different and has different parenting methods. This is totally okay. However, if you’re really struggling with navigating the whole parent thing, there are a few things you can do to turn yourself around.

Schedule some ME time.

Being a parent can be extremely stressful, and it’s easy to take your stress out on those you love. Instead of being the mean parent or the unhappy parent, it’s important for you to spend some quality time with yourself to recharge and regroup. For some people, this ME time just means taking a walk or a drive on a daily basis by yourself. For others, it could mean getting involved in an activity that doesn’t involve your family. When you can step away from your family for a bit and focus on yourself, it will make you a better parent to those little ones who need you.

Quit the Bad Habits

We are all at fault for having a bad habit or two, but there are some bad habits that far outweigh others. For instance, if you have a bad habit of putting yourself or your family in danger, whether because of drug or alcohol abuse, intense gambling or criminal activity, then you need to find ways to stop this right away. Being charged with drug-related crimes, losing your family’s life savings or getting your family involved with the wrong crowd will jeopardize your relationship with your family. However, if you make the right choices to get your life back on track and put these bad habits behind you, you can restore your relationship with your children and spouse.

Get Involved

Getting involved in your child’s life can help you be a better parent. For instance, if your child wants to play a sport, maybe you can volunteer to coach or assist. By doing this, you’ll be spending quality time with your child while doing something they love to do. In addition, it allows you two to create a bond over something that’s special for the two of you.

Find Time for Fun

Everyone has a busy life, and if you are constantly working or berating your children for grades or poor behavior, then it’s going to reflect poorly on your relationship. Instead, try to take some time every week for a fun activity. Maybe this simply means watching a movie together, grabbing some ice cream, meal prepping or taking a trip to their favorite store. It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you make it fun. This will end up being one of the things they remember about your time together, so be sure to find the things that will interest them and foster a closer relationship with them.

Let Your Child Make Mistakes

No matter what you want for your children, understand that your child is going to make mistakes. If you become angry at them every time they make a mistake, it will have a negative impact on your relationship. Instead, be sure to let your child make mistakes, but be there to help them through it. Let them know what they did is wrong and how they can fix it. This will help you openly communicate and create a stronger bond.

Set Aside Personal Time

If you have more than one child, set aside personal time for each one individually. This will help that child feel special, and it will allow you to get to know a little bit more about their personality, thoughts, desires, etc. Plus, every child likes being the center of their parents’ attention, so give them this little bit of your time to create a stronger bond between you.

Know You’re Not Alone

There are a lot of parents out there who feel just like you. By understanding you’re not alone in your feelings, you’ll have a greater time putting your focus on your children and being the best possible parent you can be. Schedule time with other parents on a regular basis to help you feel connected with others who are going through the same challenges and phase of life.

The article Be the Best Parent You Can Be With These 7 Tips by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Managing Summer Stress

by Rachel Duran

Summer Stress

First let’s talk about stress, and what is it?

Let’s define the word “stress”; it can be recognized as feeling overwhelmed, burnout, anxiety or fear. In other words it feels like your whole world is sitting on your shoulders. Stress usually has a negative connotation and can have a total impact on our feelings, such as emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The fear and anxiety start to set in. However, stress can be good as well? Yes, stress can be good, so take a breath! When you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnout, anxiety or fear it can cause stress in the body. However, stress can be invoked from an upcoming event, stimulus, or demand. Often these types of stress can result in rewards, positive attitude, increased self-esteem and gratitude. It can also be perceived by our attitudes, values, personality, and even by our moods.

We can experience two different kinds of stress; such as positive stress (eustress) and negative stress (distress). I am human, so, therefore I get stressed out! We all do from time to time! Stress can be a major energy drainer! I try to be very careful how I react to a stressful situation. I try to remember that life happens, but I can control how I respond to it (it’s all in the attitude). It makes all the difference.

Research has shown that long term stress can influence the mind and body negatively. Repetitive or sustained stress (the kind that never ends) such as a long commute to work, money worries or a toxic relationship). Chronic stress levels can drain our energy, and make us feel like staying in bed with the covers over your head. We can feel heavy in our bodies. We must try to learn to control our reactions. I believe we react to stress in different ways with emotional, physical, mental and spiritual reactions. For example, emotional eating, mental fog, physically fatigued, frustrated and spiritually exhausted. We know life can throw some curve balls and we often react negatively which often results in a negative outcome.

When your body is under short-term stress, your body releases the hormone cortisol. The body releases this “fight or flight” hormone, which is a response of the sympathetic nervous system. This can increase fats and sugars within your bloodstream to get your brain and muscles to react in a quick burst of energy. This can be an impulsive reaction that is difficult to control. When the stress has passed, your body can return to its normal relaxation state which is created by the parasympathetic nervous system.

When under chronic stress your body will release cortisol consistently and such long-term exposure to elevated cortisol wears your body down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It can leave you vulnerable to colds, hormone imbalances, weight gain, illness and conditions from diabetes to cancer. Chronic stress is epidemic in our busy world we live in today. This is especially true for women! Make some time for an hour, or weekend to blow off some steam and get refreshed.

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Here are a few tips to blow off some steam and get refreshed:

1. Breathing is an excellent way to blow off some stress. The breathing I’m talking about is being mindful, aware and focused on the breath itself. This will help release the stress. Now try breathing in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. (Deep breathing increases the oxygen in your blood and relaxes your body and mind).

2. Take some time for a yoga class it is a great way to learn different types of breathing. Don’t have time? YouTube has some great yoga videos for 20-30 minute practices.

3. Take a meditation walk to get out of your head (healing the mind from every day busy to-do-list can be refreshing for the soul). Appreciate the beauty about you as you take this meditation walk, listen around you to the trees, sky, wind, animals, etc.). You’ll be surprised what you can hear and see and how it can relax you.

4. Embracing a positive mood can have a direct impact on your mood. Have you ever noticed when you’re in a low mood, your energy is low? When your mood is positive, your energy follows. (thinking positive may reduce stress, boost your mood, and take away worry and fear).

The article Managing Summer Stress by Rachel Duran appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Let’s talk about the stress and how to manage the stress for the upcoming Summer!

by Rachel Duran

First let’s talk about stress, and what is it?

Let’s define the word “stress”; it can be recognized as feeling overwhelmed, burnout, anxiety or fear. In other words it feels like your whole world is sitting on your shoulders. Stress usually has a negative connotation and can have a total impact on our feelings, such as emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The fear and anxiety start to set in. However, stress can be good as well? Yes, stress can be good, so take a breath! When you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnout, anxiety or fear it can cause stress in the body. However, stress can be invoked from an upcoming event, stimulus, or demand. Often these types of stress can result in rewards, positive attitude, increased self-esteem and gratitude. It can also be perceived by our attitudes, values, personality, and even by our moods.

We can experience two different kinds of stress; such as positive stress (eustress) and negative stress (distress). I am human, so, therefore I get stressed out! We all do from time to time! Stress can be a major energy drainer! I try to be very careful how I react to a stressful situation. I try to remember that life happens, but I can control how I respond to it (it’s all in the attitude). It makes all the difference.

Research has shown that long term stress can influence the mind and body negatively. Repetitive or sustained stress (the kind that never ends) such as a long commute to work, money worries or a toxic relationship). Chronic stress levels can drain our energy, and make us feel like staying in bed with the covers over your head. We can feel heavy in our bodies. We must try to learn to control our reactions. I believe we react to stress in different ways with emotional, physical, mental and spiritual reactions. For example, emotional eating, mental fog, physically fatigued, frustrated and spiritually exhausted. We know life can throw some curve balls and we often react negatively which often results in a negative outcome.

When your body is under short-term stress, your body releases the hormone cortisol. The body releases this “fight or flight” hormone, which is a response of the sympathetic nervous system. This can increase fats and sugars within your bloodstream to get your brain and muscles to react in a quick burst of energy. This can be an impulsive reaction that is difficult to control. When the stress has passed, your body can return to its normal relaxation state which is created by the parasympathetic nervous system.

When under chronic stress your body will release cortisol consistently and such long-term exposure to elevated cortisol wears your body down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It can leave you vulnerable to colds, hormone imbalances, weight gain, illness and conditions from diabetes to cancer. Chronic stress is epidemic in our busy world we live in today. This is especially true for women! Make some time for an hour, or weekend to blow off some steam and get refreshed.

 

 

[image error]

Here are a few tips to blow off some steam and refreshed:

1. Breathing is an excellent way to blow off some stress. The breathing I’m talking about is being mindful, aware and focused on the breath itself. This will help release the stress. Now try breathing in through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. (Deep breathing increases the oxygen in your blood and relaxes your body and mind).

2. Take some time for a yoga class it is a great way to learn different types of breathing. Don’t have time? YouTube has some great yoga videos for 20-30 minute practices.

3. Take a meditation walk to get out of your head (healing the mind from every day busy to-do-list can be refreshing for the soul). Appreciate the beauty about you as you take this meditation walk, listen around you to the trees, sky, wind, animals, etc.). You’ll be surprised what you can hear and see and how it can relax you.

4. Embracing a positive mood can have a direct impact on your mood. Have you ever noticed when you’re in a low mood, your energy is low? When your mood is positive, your energy follows. (thinking positive may reduce stress, boost your mood, and take away worry and fear).

The article Let’s talk about the stress and how to manage the stress for the upcoming Summer! by Rachel Duran appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

The Injury Claims Process: What To Expect

by Guest Author

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The Injury Claims Process: What To Expect

When you begin the process of an injury claim, it is important to retain a lawyer from the state the accident happened in. If you are in New Jersey, it is important to retain a personal injury NJ lawyer with litigation experience. Most injury claims do not find their way to court though; most of these are settled outside of the courtroom. However, do not ignore the litigation experience, since you do not know how your claims process will go. In the event that your claims process is going to be settled, here is what to expect.

What to Expect From Your Personal Injury Lawyer

After your first meeting, your lawyer will begin his investigations into the matter. He may usually enlist the help of a private investigator. The evidence he will look at will include the following:

Police reports of the accident
Your medical records following the accident
Eyewitness statements from the scene of the accident
Any lost wages caused by injury from the accident
Any paid and accrued medical bills due to the injury or trauma sustained

After the lawyer has gone through this evidence, with his advice, you will then propose an amount for settlement. If you have suffered a debilitating injury, it is good to consider that you will have lost wages for a good portion of time, probably even the majority of your life. The amount you propose should be higher than what you expect because the other party will always have a counter offer lower than your proposed amount. Be sure that the amount you finally settle on is your first proposed amount or one that is very close to it.

What to Expect From the Insurer

As you prepare your claims, the insurer will have already assigned your file to a claims manager. They will likely have an adjuster call you to offer a settlement amount. This amount is usually quite low, even before you can make out how much your claim is really worth. The adjuster will usually contact you before you have talked to a personal injury lawyer. It is advisable to ask the adjuster to talk to your lawyer, and route all negotiations through your lawyer since that is familiar territory for them.

The insurer will try to find any evidence pointing to your fault partly or wholly for the injury. Do not hide any important information from your lawyer because of this. The insurer will also look at the police report, witness statements and any photographic evidence available.

How Long Does It Take to Settle?

Various factors will affect the amount of time it will take to settle a claim. In the event that the case is clear-cut that the fault lies solely with the other party, compensation could take about a month from your first demand letter. Other factors, like the adjuster’s workload, the strength of your evidence and the viability of the claim, could drag out the process.

Ensure that your rights are protected by getting a reputable personal injury lawyer as soon as you can after your injury. Time is of the essence in this type of claim. Read more about personal injury lawyers on SK Law injury firm.

The article The Injury Claims Process: What To Expect by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Help Your Kids Build Oral Health Habits

by Guest Author

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Help Your Kids Build Oral Health Habits

From the day you learned that you were pregnant to the day your child was born, you began to undertake a huge responsibility to ensure that he or she grows into a bright and healthy individual. One of your most basic duties as a parent is to help them build good oral health habits because will benefit your child for the rest of his or her life.

Oral Care: Why You Should Start Young

A child’s primary teeth, more popularly called the “baby teeth,” show up between ages 6 and 10 months. In three years, your child should already have 20 baby teeth. After that, they will grow 12 more as an adult. Most first-time parents will ask when they should start teaching their children to brush their teeth. The question sometimes seems pointless because children don’t develop teeth until they are several months old. However, experts highly recommend teaching them the value of oral hygiene as early as possible— even if they have yet to grow their first tooth, because it would engrave the habit in them from the beginning.

One of the best ways to do start teaching your child to brush is to regularly clean their gums using food-grade wipes or a soft piece of cloth wrapped around your index finger. You can do this after you give them a bath or any other time of the day. The important thing here is to do it regularly to help build the habit. Take note that experts don’t recommend using toothpaste on babies as they still don’t know how to spit. The point in doing this is to get them used to the habit of cleaning their mouth as early as possible.

If your your child is already old enough and refuses to brush, do not fret. We have gathered some tips you can use to encourage healthy habits and regular tooth brushing in your child.

Let Them Pick Out Their Own Dental Supplies

The flavor of your children’s toothpaste is sometimes the reason why they refuse to brush their teeth. To ensure that they like the dental products they use, bring them with you when going shopping for these. Show them all the age-appropriate products they can choose from and buy the ones they want. This way, your child will feel more involved in the process and show greater motivation with oral hygiene.

Make Brushing Fun

Like any other task, children are more engaged in activities that are fun and exciting. One way you can make brushing fun is to incorporate singing of nursery rhymes or any kind of song that lasts two minutes. This way, you can follow the dentist-recommended length of brushing without leaving your child irritated.

Show Them the Proper Way to Brush

The best way to teach a child is by modeling. The same is true with oral hygiene. Make sure to show your child how to properly brush their teeth and the other parts of their mouths. It can also serve as a bonding time between mommies, daddies and their kids.

Reward Them for Doing A Good Job

Some children might need more motivation to brush their teeth regularly. Experienced parents recommend rewarding them after completing a week of regular brushing through sticker charts that end in surprise prizes. You can also try coming up with a story about a superhero who defeated cavities by regularly brushing his teeth.

Teach Them About Teeth-Friendly Food

Aside from proper toothbrushing, eating good food is also necessary to keep your children’s teeth healthy. That said, be sure to encourage children to eat fruits and vegetables instead of processed and sweetened foods, like candies. The former will not only provide them with a healthy balance of nutrients. They will also help keep their teeth clear of cavity-causing sugar and other decay-inducing ingredients.

Introduce Them To a Friendly Dentist

One of the most common problems parents encounter with their children’s dental care is the fear of meeting the dentist. Most parents do not know that they should already be having their child’s dental check-up as soon as the first tooth appears, or after the first birthday. Look for a pediatric dentist in your neighborhood, and schedule a consultation even if your child doesn’t have a tooth emergency, so they can become familiar with the clinic and the tools.

The article Help Your Kids Build Oral Health Habits by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

4 Tips to Help You Succeed in College

by Guest Author

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4 Tips to Help You Succeed in College

College is fun, but it can also be challenging and scary. One moment you are having fun with school friends, and the next you find yourself in a sea of unknown faces, feeling confused and lost. With the fall semester beginning in a matter of months, now would be a good time to get to know a few tricks to make your college experience a little smoother.

Here are 4 P’s–Perseverance, Personal Space, Professionalism, Protagonist–to help you succeed on campus:

You Snooze, You Lose

The first and most basic ground rule of any college: try.  

You can’t be bad at something unless you know what that thing is. The whole emotional and physical shift from grade school to university isn’t rainbows and sunshine. But give it enough time, and you can grow into the challenge. Don’t compare your success and failure to your classmates and friends. They’re here with an agenda of their own, and so are you. Your work should be a reflection of your credibility and PERSEVERANCE.

Tip: Make a routine, and try following it on most days. It’s okay to say no to some social events and parties. Get into clubs or an organization that genuinely interests you to help you stay focused on your studies.

That’s Your Spot

One of the things a lot of young people forget to take care of – their own self. While in college, your physical and mental clarity is as important as the F you’re trying to avoid on your grade sheet. When you get sick, you miss classes, miss your friends and miss out on other fun and important opportunities.  A healthy, appropriate working environment, with a clear head, keeps your PERSONAL SPACE in check, while helping you continue toward your bright future.

Tip: Get a complete medical check-up before you head to college. Pack yourself a medical aid box. Keep contact with the college counselor or a family member, and be honesty with your feelings about day-to-day things.

Adulting Isn’t Boring

Having made it to college in the first place is a pretty big deal. To maximize this experience, work on building a certain skill set that would help in the betterment of the community in some way or another. Unlike high school, building and maintaining your PROFESSIONAL decorum while helping the community is something that is a large part of the college learning experience. 

Tip: Participate in classroom discussion and the activities of a club or organization you join. Treat all your colleagues with respect.

Be Your Own Superhero

Changes are hard in life. But choosing a shortcut isn’t going to help you in the long run. So, be it your assignments, papers, projects or any other work that you find yourself completing, don’t plagiarize. Don’t be someone else. Be yourself. Figure out the kind of lifestyle you would want to build for yourself and keep track of your progress towards that goal.

Tip: This is your life, and you’re the PROTAGONIST of your own movie. If you feel you’re addicted to smartphones and it’s interrupting your ability to be fully engaged in your own life, look for a good mobile hangover cure. Take back control of your own life and achieve your goals.

Good luck to all the freshmen. Make good memories!

The article 4 Tips to Help You Succeed in College by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Try These 4 Fresh Summer Beauty Tricks

by Guest Author

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4 Fresh Summer Beauty Tricks

The long-awaited summer season is finally here, and it’s time to go out and make the most of the beautiful sunshine. But it’s important to remember that, just like every other season, summer needs its own set of beauty tips and tricks. The sunny weather means it’s time for you to revamp your beauty regimen to avoid any sun damage and have fun with fresh skin care and beauty routines. A customized summer approach lets you enjoy summer while taking care of your skin, hair and body.  

Teeth Whitening

The warm summer weather means that there are numerous opportunities to take advantage of the sun and take great outdoor photos. If you are worried about having slightly discolored teeth, you can opt for a home teeth whitening kit like the ones from Pearly Whites to ensure that you have the right look for those coveted summer photos. And you don’t even need to break the bank to get those pearly whites summer-ready! These home kits work effectively and are safe to use at home.

Get a Tan

We all know that a natural tan can give skin a healthy glow. The good news is that there are plenty of chances to get one by basking by the pool or seaside. Not only does a natural tan leave you looking good, but it also boosts your serotonin levels.

Ensure that you take proper care of your skin before and after a tan. Remember that the sun’s rays can be very harmful, so use a sunscreen with adequate SPF protection. Ensure that you stay hydrated and take moderate breaks during tanning. You can also use some suntan oils to help your body to absorb the sun and give you a great tan without the burn.

Go Bold with Colors

The summer season is usually filled with lots of pomp and color. So it’s only right for you to get in line with the program and display color, as well. If you are used to dull or neutral hues, switch things up by going for a bright nail polish for your fingers and toes. Think of bold colors, such as pink, orange and luminous color variants. Don’t worry about standing out (many people wear brighter colors during the warmer months). Choose bright shades that work for you. It also helps that most of these colors look great on every skin type. If you are up for it, you can experiment with some fresh hair color, as well.

Don’t Shave, Wax

While waxing is not the preferred choice for everyone, it is definitely the best way to get rid of those unwanted hairs before summer. If you love a smooth and clean finish, waxing will achieve this for you. Your skin tends to be more sensitive during summer, and shaving might leave you with razor bumps or even those pesky red shaving rashes. On the other hand, waxing will keep your unwanted hairs at bay for a longer period of time and will give you a cleaner look for the summer.

The article Try These 4 Fresh Summer Beauty Tricks by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Establish Healthy Dental Habits Early to Protect Your Child’s Teeth and Gums

by Dr. Jack Gruber, DDS

Dental health is as important for kids as it is for adults. Yet, there are different challenges when it comes to keeping young smiles healthy. From fussy brushers and dental office jitters to battling with braces, there’s plenty to contend with. As a parent, your challenge is being proactive from the start when it comes to protecting your child’s teeth and gums. Here are a few strategies to ensure your child’s pearly whites stay healthy and bright.

Start Early

Cavities top the list of childhood dental problems. About one in five children, ages five to 11 years, have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Yet, they almost always are preventable. Along with diligent brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing, dental visits are vital to preventing cavities. And, regular checkups and cleanings should begin sooner than later. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children begin seeing a dentist by their first birthday. By the time your child is three or four, cavities and decay can already be present.

Professional cleanings can go a long way towards preventing dental problems. However, that’s not the only benefit to them. The earlier your child goes to the dentist, the more likely that they will be at ease with dental visits. In contrast, treatment for cavities or early stages of gum disease can often be scary – even requiring sedation, injections and sometimes even surgery.

Brush Better, Not Harder

It’s up to parents to lead the way when it comes to brushing and flossing. The AAPD recommends that children brush for two minutes, twice a day, as well as floss once a day. While many young children want to tackle tasks independently, few have the motor skills to brush effectively until they’re at least seven or eight years old. One strategy is to help with brushing and flossing, and then give the toothbrush to your child so they can “finish.”

Because gums are especially fragile in children, overbrushing is a common pediatric dental problem that can lead to gum erosion and early-stage gum disease. And, the problem can be exacerbated with the use of a hard-bristle toothbrush. Even soft-bristle brushes can damage gums if your child brushes too aggressively. A safer alternative is a toothbrush designed with flexible rubber-bristles that don’t abrade gums.

Offer a Balanced Diet

The old mantra “you are what you eat,” certainly applies to your child’s dental health. A diet of soda and candy is a surefire way to promote dental decay. Yet, many are surprised to learn that seemingly-healthy crackers, baked goods and fruit juice can have a similar effect. Along with food that has a high sugar content, those that have refined carbohydrates can also damage the tooth structure and gums.

A smile was meant to last a lifetime. As a parent, it’s your job to keep your child’s smile healthy during their formative years – by establishing healthy habits from the start. While it can be challenging sticking to regular brushing and professional cleanings, your child will thank you one day for your diligence.

The article Establish Healthy Dental Habits Early to Protect Your Child’s Teeth and Gums by Dr. Jack Gruber, DDS appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

5 Useful Tips On How To Help Your Kids Balance School and Sports

by Guest Author

Balancing School and Sports
[image error]Photo credit/site https://unsplash.com/photos/J4RSyiz_M3I

Everyone agrees that having a healthy and well-rounded life is necessary for our children. This means making time for school, social activities, and sports. Each of these areas is important to nurture your child. But, how can you find the time for all of these things?

Looking for leaks

There are a lot of things in your life and the lives of your children that drain our precious time. As the parent, you have to take a hard look into the future.

Start with looking into the month ahead:

What is planned?
What activity is taking away time and giving little in return?

For example, maybe you have unintentionally made it a habit to stop for ice cream every Friday on your way home. It may be fun, but is it useful?

Maybe stopping for ice cream only takes 45 minutes. But, if you skipped that little event, your child would have 45 minutes every Friday night to get their weekend homework done and get ready for their week. Use this opportunity to introduce them to some retro candy. That will still make the Friday night a treat!

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Photo credit/site https://pixabay.com/en/homework-class-learn-desk-learning-2803933/

Look for other activities that drain on your child’s time with no real reward and see if you can put that time to better use.

Prioritize

It is very important that you teach your child to prioritize. This is a life skill that we all must master.

When your child is facing football or softball practice, they have a test to study for, and their friend wants to come for a visit; which should he do?

All of these things are important. By looking at the day, you can determine what time they should study and what time they will be at practice.

If they can manage those two things, you can work with the guest.

Work With His Teacher

This is a very important way to help your child.

Have a meeting with his teacher. Explain that he has practice on certain evenings. Ask them if he could be given his assignments the day before practice or if he can do them the day after.

Work together and create a method that works. Teachers are people too. They have probably raised kids and faced the same issues that you are facing. Work with them, and they may even have some tips to help you.

 [image error]Photo/credit site https://unsplash.com/photos/5Jx_wPtOqJM
Organize

How much time is spent in your home looking for school clothes, shoes, pencils, and homework? (How much time is spent looking for car keys, cell phones, and laptops?) This is all wasted energy.

Make it a rule that everyone in the house keeps their things organized and ready for the next day. School clothes, shoes, and supplies should be gathered before bed each night. The time management monster can be tamed and trained.

Be Flexible and Recognize

No matter what your child is doing, he needs to know that you are with him. Show interest in his school work and progress in his sport of choice. Make sure they can confide in you. This is especially important if any injuries occur. You do not want your kid hiding those from you, as they need to be treated as soon as your kid starts experiencing pain. If they share a pain in the foot (common for little soccer lovers), make sure to book an appointment with a respectable podiatrist. You can do so quickly with zocdoc.com.

Takeaways

Remember, your child is just a kid. It may try a dozen activities until it finds the right one for him.

What you are doing is training your child to take control and take care of business. You are showing him that he can do anything he wants to, if he applies himself to it and works it into his schedule.

You are giving him permission to be the person he wants to be, and that is a wonderful thing.

The article 5 Useful Tips On How To Help Your Kids Balance School and Sports by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.

Guide to UV Protection for Your Locks

by Guest Author

The dangers of UV radiation for skin are well-known, but did you know that it’s as bad for your hair as well? Sun rays destroy proteins in your hairs, damage your scalp, and can contribute to hair loss. It’s essential to protect your locks using both physical and chemical barriers as well as adjust your hair care routine to minimize the damage you cannot prevent.

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Why You Need UV Protection for Hair: Based on Science

Did you notice how in the summer your tresses most exposed to sunlight change color? This usually looks pretty good and many girls see it as a boon as they get natural highlights for free. However, the truth is that this happens because exposure to UV rays causes degradation of hair proteins and pigment (Collegium Antropologicum).

The destruction of those proteins (keratins) leads to the deterioration of hair cuticles, which makes your hairs split, brittle, dry, and frizzy. The degradation of melanin (pigment) leads to the loss of protection from free radicals, which are the direct cause of the hair shaft deterioration.

This means that the people with bleached and blonde hair, who have less pigment by default, are at a higher risk of UV damage (Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology). Therefore, they require even more protection and should avoid exposure to sunlight if possible.

As if that damage wasn’t enough, research published in the book Aging Hair proves that UVA and UVB radiation contributes to hair loss, which can be permanent. This occurs because of the damage these rays deal to the scalp.

3 Steps to Effective UV Protection for Hair
1.      Maintain a healthy haircare routine

Proper hair care can help you reduce the damage from UV rays. It’s especially important for blonde and bleached hair because of its high vulnerability level. For bleached locks, using specialized care products is essential for maintaining the color as exposure to sunlight will make it turn a cross between brass and yellow. Platinum blondes, in particular, should be using treatments with a violet pigment to neutralize the change in color. In order to choose the product right, you should study a detailed guide to purple shampoo.

Other important hair care routine steps for minimizing UV damage include reducing the frequency of washing your locks and using deep conditioning treatments. The most important thing is to keep your hair and scalp well hydrated. Washing removes natural oils, which protect your locks from drying out. Try to cut this procedure to 3 times a week at most.

Use conditioner every time you wash your hair and a deep conditioning mask at least once a week. If your locks are colored or naturally dry, deep condition after every wash. Consider also getting a moisturizing hair spray to use every day.

2.      Use SPF haircare products

Products with SPF25+ serve as the best chemical blocks for the damaging radiation. They aren’t perfect and it might be difficult to find the ones that will fit you personally. There’s also a problem of ‘heaviness’ of sunscreen products for hair. Because of the nature of the chemicals used in these treatments, the majority of them is SPF10 or lower. Even those products might turn your locks unpleasantly greasy, which will make it necessary for you to wash your locks more often. As this is bad for the health of your scalp, you might need to give up on this kind of UV protection for hair. Consider using products containing octyl methyoxycinnamate as it’s a type of sunscreen ingredient.

At the very least, you should get an SPF hairspray to apply during the summer, especially on beach trips. Like any sunscreen, you will have to reapply it regularly.

In case you already have alopecia (hair loss), apply sunscreen creams that contain zinc oxide on the areas where the locks are thinner. These vulnerable spots need all the protection you can give them.

3.      Get maximum protection with a hat

Nothing beats UV protection for hair provided by a solid physical barrier, meaning a hat. In order to maximize said protection, you’ll need to wear a wide-brimmed hat or a scarf that will cover all your locks. Caps are nice, but don’t offer much help unless your locks are very short. Don’t forget that transparent and thin fabrics don’t block out UV rays.

You also need to understand that no type of ‘UV defense’ is 100% effective. In order to keep your hair healthy, you need to combine physical and chemical protections with a good hair care routine. You should also consider changing your shampoo and conditioner during summer months as your locks will need more hydration during this time.

The article Guide to UV Protection for Your Locks by Guest Author appeared first on Healthy Moms Magazine.