Tag Archives: tips

Life, Parenting

Setting A Great Example: It’s All About The Little Things

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As parents, we’re basically superheroes in the eyes of our kids. Through us they glimpse the powers, promise and responsibility that adult life brings. Being the responsible parents that we are, we recognize that the way in which we behave,whether we have our kids in tow or not, informs our kids’ expectations of how to act in society when they reach adulthood. While some kids are cognizant of their parents’ mistakes and make a concerted effort not to repeat them when they become parents themselves, all-too often kids end up repeating the same behavioral patterns as their parents, for good or ill.

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But when it comes to setting a great example for our kids, we don’t have to kid ourselves. We shouldn’t aim to be infallible in the eyes of our kids (that would give them impossibly unrealistic expectations of themselves) not should we try to be someone we’re not for their benefit (that way lies resentment). We merely have to be the best version of ourselves possible. That doesn’t even mean that you have to overhaul your whole life. It’s just a matter of keeping an eye on the little things…

Every plate matters

Never underestimate the importance of nutrition when raising a child. It’s astonishing how many parents we see whose kids spend their days chugging on a soda bottle and yet they wonder why their kids are out of control. A diet of e-numbers, caffeine and sugar is rarely conducive to good behavior.

Good nutrition is the backbone of good health. Purge your kitchen of unhealthy treats and when the occasion merits a delicious and indulgent snack, make your own, it’s infinitely healthier and more rewarding. This brings us to…

Curb your indulgences

We all have our vices but rarely do we want to pass them on to our kids. When it comes to the first cigarette of the day with coffee or that glass of wine after a hard day at work, be careful about how we present these to our kids. We all-too-often frame our vices as treats or rewards which they can expect in adulthood. As well as finding healthier substitute for our more harmful cravings like substituting cigarettes for ejuices or eschewing the bacon double cheeseburger for a veggie patty, we can benefit our kids by preventing them from seeing satisfaction solely in the unhealthy. Teach them to find joy in good, healthy habits and you can unlock the secrets of healthy living.

Never prohibit when you can educate

When it comes to our vices, one of the worst (but most understandable) things we can do is say “You must never, ever do this!” before taking a deep drag on a cigarette or cracking open a cold bottle of beer. Many of us learn unhealthy habits from our parents and can tend to fetishize bad behaviors and look upon them as an intrinsic part of adulthood. It’s far better to explain the gratifications and the health risks of your vices and allow them to make an informed decision for themselves.

Be kind to someone, every day

In an era where more and more communication takes place online in pseudo anonymity it can seem as though the simple art of just being nice to people is overlooked. Show kids that everyday acts of kindness matter. Be kind to someone every day, whether it’s helping an elderly neighbor get their groceries out of the car or holding the door open for someone walking behind you in the hallway, teach your kids the value in quotidian acts of kindness.

Setting a great example is all about taking advantage of the little opportunities that life brings us every day.

Life, Parenting

Health & Finance Tips For Families

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CC0 Licence (Pixabay.com)

Of all the areas of your family’s budget, few are quite so as important as your budget for healthcare. With medical expenses one of the leading causes of bankruptcy, the needs to protect your family’s financial future and ensure their good health and well-being are inextricably entwined.

Below, we have put together three simple, straightforward tips that all families can implement in an effort to keep control of both their health and, subsequently, their medical expenses too.

#1 – Find the right insurance coverage

It is estimated that just over 12% of Americans do not have health insurance, which is an extremely worrying statistic given how severe the costs of essential treatment can be. However, while anyone reading this is almost certainly aware they need insurance, it’s important to note that bad coverage is not particularly useful in and of itself.

In a busy world with a thousand and one different demands on your time, it’s often tempting to buy the first policy you can afford and consider the matter settled. However, it’s worth setting aside some time to research in depth, checking to see if your children are eligible to enroll in CHIP, and reading through every page of the terms and conditions of any policy you are considering buying. Consumers Advocate .org has online reviews of providers and coverage’s that are an excellent resource. This extra level of research should mean that you can find a genuinely useful policy, and also helps to ensure maximum value for money from any premiums you pay.

#2 – Focus on “prevention” over “cure”

Even with the right insurance, medical bills can be expensive, so it can be hugely helpful to focus on proactively preventing illnesses. Here are a few ideas to help achieve this:

    • Cut down on your alcohol consumption
    • Improve your diet, perhaps by considering scientifically-backed options such as a Mediterranean diet
    • Avoid added sugars and processed foods
    • Use sunscreen, even on cloudy days
    • Keep your vaccinations up to date
    • Exercise at least three times per week; recent research has shown that strength training is particularly beneficial for overall well-being
    • Wash your hands after touching public surfaces, such as door handles
    • Use lumbar support to ensure proper posture when sitting at a keyboard
  • Try to get between six and seven hours of sleep per night

#3 – Explore natural remedies for mild conditions

Some conditions, such as the common cold, ‘flu, coughs, and throat infections frequently do not require medical treatment or antibiotics. It’s therefore useful to have an idea of natural remedies that can ease the symptoms of these illnesses while you wait for your immune system to do the rest. For example, rather than spending $10 on cough syrup or far more on a doctor’s visit, you could use honey and lemon; tests have shown that this combination is just as effective as cough syrup, and it’s cheaper too.

However, there are a few caveats to this point: if your symptoms last for over three weeks, or you are taking prescribed medications, seek further advice. For children, natural remedies should be checked with a doctor prior to use or avoided altogether.

In conclusion

By focusing on a mixture of sound financial management, combined with a focus on developing and sustaining good health habits, you should be able to ensure that these two so linked – and so important – areas of your family’s life are always protected.

Life, Parenting

Could Your Next Family Car Actually Be A Truck?

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family car, kids, parenting, tips, advice
Photo by Kasey McCoy on Unsplash

While pick up trucks are still predominantly bought by men, the number of trucks registered to women in the US increased by 67% between 2008 and 2016.  Manufacturers have spotted the rising popularity in the vehicle among a broader demographic and are rising to the challenge of creating family friendly trucks. While safety will always be the priority when choosing a family vehicle, many people love the idea of a more surprising choice in the garage. In fact, the future of your family may well ride in an unexpectedly truck-shaped vehicle. 

Flat-beds for family life 

At one point it was estimated that Americans spend 84 billion hours driving in a year.  Any Dad who’s had to taxi his kids from hockey to choir to soccer practice may sympathize.  Pickups now have improved cab space so you can at least be comfortable while you’re running family life, plus they offer a good view of the road due to their height and glass coverage.  Another clear advantage is the flat-bed space for transporting sports equipment, camping gear or whatever else your kids are into. Pre-owned pickups offer good value, but if you prefer a little luxury, you can now find newer trucks with infotainment systems and soft closing tailgates; perfect for when you need to bring home teenagers plus instruments from band practice late at night.   

Pickup power 

Traditionally, pickups haven’t been known for their fuel economy, but the marketplace is changing.  Major manufacturers such as General Motors are looking at ways to improve the fuel efficiency of their trucks, using smaller, more powerful engines and reducing the vehicles’ weight.  Ford is looking to add a diesel version later this year which could be its most efficient diesel truck yet.  This is good news when it comes to filling up for those long family road trips or camping vacations. To get the best mileage for your money, choose the lightest truck that will meet your family’s needs. 

When it comes to choosing a family vehicle, most parents prioritize safety, reliability and affordability.  A pickup truck may seem a surprising choice but for those who yearn to shake up suburbia, it may be just the thing.  Increased height and visibility are definite plus points, along with ever-improving interior features and fuel efficiency.  If you’re thinking of replacing your vehicle over the next few years, it’s well worth seeing what the truck market has to offer.