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5 Ways Technology Can Help You Keep Up with Your Grandkids

Wish you could spend more time talking to your grandkids? Grandparents everywhere have the same problem. Although kids these days seem glued to their phones, good luck trying to get them to answer when you call.

The problem isn’t that kids don’t want to talk to their grandparents, it’s how they do it. Kids and younger adults communicate differently. They rely more on new technology, (especially when it comes to technology for the home), and if you can adapt and learn it yourself, it’ll be easier to stay in touch. Here are 5 great tech communications tools you can use to keep in touch with grandkids.

Tech savvy

1) The FaceTime App

FaceTime is even better than a phone call. This smartphone app is a video calling app, so you can talk face-to-face. It’s easy to download and start using.

2) Skype

If a smartphone isn’t for you, you can still get some facetime in using Skype. Skype is great for video calling from a desktop or laptop computer, and it’s the go-to-choice for anyone who has relatives living overseas. Because Skype makes phone calls over the internet, it can make international calling free.

3) Instant Messaging Apps

Apps like WhatsApp and Kik make it easy to communicate with grandkids via instant messaging. There’s been a lot written about how Millennials don’t like talking on the phone, and younger kids (part of Generation Z) are no different. Busy Millennials dealing with longer work hours just don’t have time to make a phone call, while the younger generation came of age in a world where instant messaging apps were normal.

These apps are how many of them talk to their friends and parents. By figuring out how they work and messaging your grandchildren that way, you can probably hear from them a lot more often.

4) Social Media

Another way to keep in touch is using social media like Facebook. Leave a message on their wall or send them a direct message through their favorite social media app on birthdays and holidays if you don’t get a chance to see them.

5) Use Kid-Friendly Rideshare Apps

Do the grandkids want to visit but the parents are too busy? Kids get a lot of time off over the summer or the Christmas holidays. A growing number of kid-friendly ride share apps are being used by parents to help them with transportation. Why not use one to help your grandkids come visit you? Apps like HopSkipDrive allow kids to use them without being accompanied by a guardian, because all their drivers are screened and certified.

If you want to see your grandkids more often, learn more today about recreational activities offered by retirement residences that are great for the grandkids. A growing number of retirement residences encourage family and friends to drop in for activities like movie night or cards. Retirement residences like All Seniors Care Living Centres have also started using the Nintendo Wii. There are lots of great games that involve physical activity on the Wii, and grandkids will love finding out that you can play too.

New tech can help you stay in touch with the grandkids. They may not answer the phone, but there are plenty of ways you can stay connected.




Best Places for Family Trips Around the World

Family trip to africa

The world is full of surprises when it comes to travelling to new and different places. Each of these places has a story of their own which are enough to make a lifetime place for themselves in our heart. And when it comes to travelling around the world with your family, it just can’t get any better!

So here we are with some of the best laces from around the world which are considered to be best for taking family trips. Do have a look!

Portugal, Europe

Portugal in true sense is the idea European family destination that you wouldn’t want to miss on. The whole vibes of this place is full of rick cultural heritage, awe inspiring historical routes, mouth relishing local food and some beautiful scenery that are enough to leave your spellbound for days. It is one of the best places if you are considering to go on for a family vacay. It not a crowdie place and comparatively more cost effective as compared to other European countries.  You can start your Portugal trip from Lisbon; the capital, which is full of many kid centric attractions. Then you can head to Cascais for the love of history and historical sites. And then to many other places.

Alaska, US

One of the most perfect destinations for family trips is those which are surrounded by nature. It helps you relax from the hustling city life and enjoy some blissful quality time with your family. And for that matter Alaska is just the right place for you. Alaska has everything you can ask for. It is a paradise for winter sports, the nature blooms at its best here and also it provides with ample of opportunities for adventurous activites like hiking, trekking, paragliding, etc. the wildlife sanctuaries here are showcase their diversified flora and fauna, the world class aquariums help you encounter with the best of the underwater life from up-close and any more things. This place will prove to be worth your family trip.

Toronto, Canada

This is a city full of life. It is a city where you have got to come with your family for at least once. The whole vibes of the city is so energetic and full of electric ambiance. This place has to offer everything for everyone. Take your family to this place an let them explore a world so vibrantly rich in culture, full good and supporting people and big hub for shopping. It is the ultimate paradise for all the shopaholics and foodies out there.  This place is a shopping hub and your family may not want to leave this place ever. And on top of it the local food of this place is an utter delight! It is so savory that you will want to come to this place over and over again just to have a bite of their food.

Conclusion

So if you are considering to go on for a family vacation, you should consider one of the above-mentioned places.  These are worth the time you will be investing in to make some of the best memories with your family. Also, these places provide good accommodation, a variety of food option and easy transport facilities. In general, these places are some of the best tourist places in the world and you have got to give it a try.




Is a Montessori Education Worth the Investment?

Montessori Education

When it comes to early childhood education, there are numerous options. But while most people assume it’s either private school or public school, there are actually other options. Montessori education, for example, is totally unique in its approach. But is it worth the investment? Let’s do some exploratory work to find out more.

What is Montessori Education?

“For more than a century, Montessori has been thriving around the globe, and contemporary research validates the effectiveness of the Montessori Method,” American Montessori Society explains. “Several key elements of the approach meet the educational goals today’s parents have for their children, including growing into capable people who will be have a strong sense of self, the ability to connect with others, and the potential to be productive throughout their lives.”

As opposed to the traditional method of Western education where students follow a standardized curriculum and conform to educational requirements established by adults in suits and ties, Montessori education prioritizes potential and allows children to naturally gravitate towards the skills, interests, and opportunities that they have. Yet, at the same time, it promotes discipline and organization.

While there are Montessori school that stretch into middle and high school, the majority of schools focus on early childhood education – particularly the 0 to 6 age range. It’s during this time that children are most impressionable and inquisitive.

5 Benefits of Montessori Education

Montessori education is different than traditional public or private school education – that much is for sure. The question is, what benefits does it offer the child? Let’s take a look:

  • Focus on Development

The Montessori education system is all about development. Young children are taught to hone their large muscle and language skills. Older children – typically around age four – are taught refined motor skills and activities like arts, crafts, and cooking. Preschoolers may even take their learning outside of the classroom to explore their communities and develop social skills.

  • Child-Specific Learning

Child-specific learning is the mark of Montessori education. As opposed to a traditional school environment where children are forced to keep up with generic learning requirements in order to move up a grade, Montessori students are able to learn at a pace that’s tailored to their own cognitive abilities and personalized talents.

  • Encouraging Environment

“Montessori teachers carefully choose words to convey consistent expectations for every child,” Primary Montessori explains. “Respect, kindness, and positivity are modeled to help students master the social skills vital to future success. Words that encourage children to be independent, intrinsically motivated critical thinkers are used consistently at school.”      

Young children are highly impressionable and benefit greatly from being part of an encouraging community. Not only do they feel reassured, but they also learn how to interact with and encourage others. These lessons will follow them throughout their lives.

  • Teaching Methods That Inspire Creativity

In a traditional school setting, children are taught to listen to the teacher and follow a lesson plan. This forces children to operate within strict borders that limit creative thinking. At Montessori school, this isn’t the case. Teaching methods are designed to gently nudge students along while allowing children to explore their creativity and inspiration. As a result, children learn about themselves and their creative capabilities from a very early age.

  • Instilling of Self-Discipline

One of the more amazing aspects of Montessori education is how students learn to cultivate self-discipline and independence while understanding the value in cooperative learning.

“It is common to see students of different ages working together,” American Montessori Society mentions.” Older students enjoy mentoring their younger classmates—sometimes the best teacher is someone who has recently mastered the task at hand. Younger students look up to their big ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters,’ and get a preview of the alluring work to come.”

Finding the Right Solution for Your Child

Montessori education isn’t perfect for every child. Some students will thrive better in a traditional setting. However, the Montessori system is designed in such a way that most young children benefit from the opportunities and freedoms to explore their creative side in such a manner that it positively shapes them for years to come. Perhaps your child will, too.




Best Family Activities To Do in Dublin

Dublin

Ireland seems to have it all: beautiful landscapes, rich history and the friendliest people on earth. For all these reasons and more, many families plan a trip to the Emerald Isle.

Dublin is typically the starting point for the rest of the vacation, since it’s the most popular point of arrival for international flights coming into the country. Once you arrive at the airport, you need not to worry as you can either use taxi services to get to and from Dublin, rent a car or use the bus.

Once, you’ve settled that, make the most of your time there and have a plan to keep everyone entertained.

And how to do that? Just read on our best family activities to do in Dublin.

Dublin is compact, so you can see a lot in just a few hours. With school-age children, go for a walking tour. The right guide will introduce your family to both the city’s main attractions and its rich history, adding value to places your family might explore independently later in the trip. 

Be sure to take the Viking Splash tour, especially if you have younger kids. Every little transportation lover will delight in hopping aboard this military-style vehicle, and it allows families to take in Dublin from the water in addition to land, as you venture up the River Liffey.

TIP: Take the Viking Splash tour in the morning when traffic is lighter.

Dublin might not have a well-known reputation for fancy cuisine, but in the past few years it has actually been a pioneering hub of the local food movement. Take a walking food tour and sample the city’s many delights, from chocolate to cheese, to, of course… beer!

Speaking of beer, many families think it’s not possible to incorporate a stop at the Guinness Storehouse with children, but indeed you can.

The Guinness Experience is actually an interactive museum about how Guinness is made, which ends at the Gravity Bar, where you have fantastic views over the whole city.

TIP: Did you know that children under 13 are free at the Guinness Experience? Well, now you do.

Before you leave, plan one last blast of family fun in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. It is the largest enclosed city park in Europe, so families can easily spend a full day here. There is something to please everyone, from old military installations, forts to Victorian gardens. They’re all ready for children to explore while parents admire the beauty and history.

You may even be joined by the wild deer that call this park home. More active families can rent bikes and those with younger kids will definitely want to take note of the Dublin Zoo, also found in Phoenix Park.

Fun fact: The home of the President of Ireland is located in the park.

Over to you! Dublin is a great city for a mix of education, new experiences and time to play meaning everyone can find something to love.




Is a Senior Care Home the Right Choice for Your Family?

parents at home

Choosing to move a loved onto into a senior care home is never an easy decision. Sometimes, there are signs that a move is needed immediately. Other times, there’s a lot of smaller indications that your loved one can use more help and that a senior care facility might be the best decision for them.

Home Maintenance Isn’t Kept Up

Home maintenance is difficult to keep up with as someone ages. If your loved one is having more trouble than normal, it might be a sign they need extra help. Some of the signs can include a cluttered, dirty or disorganized home, broken appliances that don’t get repaired, or that the home and yard need maintenance done but the repairs aren’t made. Another sign is that groceries expire or spoiled and are not thrown away.

Signs of Memory or Mental Health Issues

Both memory and mental health issues can start small but they can quickly get worse and can lead to potential harm for your loved one. Pay attention to issues like bounced checks, forgetfulness, changes in mood or mood swings, or depression. Other signs can include confusion when performing tasks they used to be familiar with or a loss of interest in activities and hobbies. Speak with your loved one’s doctor when possible if you notice any of these signs or they’re getting worse as memory care assisted living may be a prudent next step.

Signs of Personal Care Issues

Personal care is also more difficult as you age. If your loved one usually wears dishevelled clothing or has poor personal hygiene, it could be a sign they need extra help. Pegasus Senior Living can help with these issues as well as help them stay as safe as possible. If you notice they’re having trouble standing or have unexplained bruising, a senior care home might be the right choice so they can have help whenever they need it.

More Help is Needed Than Available

As your loved one ages, you may end up helping them quite a bit. However, there may come a point where you just can’t offer all of the help they need. It’s time to consider a senior care home if you’re displaying signs of caregiver burnout like losing your temper, your own health is declining, your relationships are suffering, or you’re not able to keep up with your own responsibilities.

Given the circumstances, an assisted living, a nursing home, or a similar arrangement may be a better option for you and your loved one. Care workers and other health professionals in those facilities are trained to provide support, care, and assistance to older adults. As for you, identify what your family member needs, check the cost of admission and fees (you pay or buy incontinence supplies for your loved one), and opt for someplace near so you can visit often.

Financial Issues Paying for Care

One option many people are considering today is in-home assisted living. This is perfect for small tasks like keeping the home maintained, buying groceries, and personal care. However, when everything starts to add up, it could mean your loved one requires care around the clock. If this happens, in-home assistance may simply be too expensive. A Senior care home gives them the chance to get the help they need in a safe environment.

As your loved one grows older, it may be difficult for you to continue keeping up with everything they need. If you’ve noticed the signs here and you cannot provide all of the care they might need on their own, take the time to learn more about moving them to a senior care facility. This might be the perfect option for them to continue to live comfortably as they age and to get any of the help they need.




What to do if Your Child is in a Car Accident

Car Accident

The only thing worse than getting into a car accident yourself is when one of your kids does. One day you’re just going about your business as usual, when your phone rings. You see that it’s your child, answer the phone, and suddenly realize that everything isn’t okay. Your child’s voice sounds shaky, and they tell you they’ve just been a car accident. Immediately your mind starts racing, wondering if they’re okay.

During a time like this, your mind will race to so many different points that it becomes hard to know what to do. To help you out, here are the steps you should follow if your child gets into a car accident.

Keep Yourself Calm

The first thing you need to do is remain calm. If you start to panic, this fear will only spread to your child and make things worse. Take a couple of deep breaths and try to keep your nerves under control. Once you’ve done this, work on keeping your child calm. They might be getting some anxiety, especially if this is their first car accident, and they’ll need your guidance. Have them take a few deep breaths as well, then start walking them through the next steps.

Get to Them if You Can

If your child was driving nearby when they got into an accident, your best bet is to try and get to them. This will help to make the next steps easier, and you won’t have to do everything on the phone. Find out where they are and drop whatever you’re doing. If you’re at work, your boss will likely understand if you tell them you need to leave to attend to your child.

If you can’t get to your kid right away, see if there is someone else who can. Maybe a family friend or relative lives near the accident site and you can ask them to drive over. Having someone with experience in these situations at the accident site will help things run more smoothly and keep your child calm.

Make Sure They are Okay

Next, whether you were able to get there or someone else was, find out if your child is okay. Do they have any scrapes from the accident? Do they feel any pain? They might be a little shaken up emotionally, especially if it was a bad accident, but this is normal. Pay closer attention to their physical condition, and make sure everything is okay. If there are any signs of a problem, you’ll want to get them checked out by a doctor, no matter how minor. Also remember that some car accident symptoms can appear in the days following the accident, so keep an eye on your kid going forward.

Call for Extra Help

Once you’re sure your child is okay, or proper medical attention is on the way, the next thing you’ll want to focus on is if you need to call anyone else. For instance, if the police haven’t been called yet, you should call them so they can make an official record of the accident. Another person you might need to call is a tow truck, so that your child’s car can be towed away.

Finally, you may need to call a car accident lawyer if you’re having trouble with issues like insurance. According to Adams Law Firm, “Medical bills can quickly add up, and insurance companies have been known to act in bad faith and deny coverage or severely low-ball victims in their times of need. After an accident it is vital that you work with an attorney who is dedicated to your well-being and will work hard to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation that you deserve.” When choosing an attorney, such as an attorney from Dennis Hernandez & Associates, it’s important to make sure that they’re able to offer the level of support that you need. This step won’t come until later, so focus on the present for now. 

Walk Them Through the Exchange of Information

The last thing you should help your child with is the exchange of information. After every car accident, the two drivers involved need to share information. Make sure your child gets the required information from the other driver, and that they provide it as well. The information you need to get are their name, license plate number, and insurance information. It’s also a good idea during this step to take some pictures of the accident, and of any injuries sustained. Take out your smartphone and snap as many pictures as you can – you never know when you might need them.

Help Your Child Going Forward

Once all of this is done, the ordeal isn’t quite over. Your child may experience lingering effects from the accident, such as a reluctance to drive or some anxiety. If this is the case, work with your child to overcome this fear and get back to normal.

Having a child go through a car accident is never pleasant, and it might even be worse for you than for them. But it’s important that you remain calm, so that your child can rely on you during this trying time. Hopefully you’ll never need to use this guide, but if the time comes, you’ll be glad you know what to do.




Victoria falls: An African safari guide

Victoria falls

Victoria falls serves as symbol of beauty and exploration, with a number of people having ventured from shores far and wide to discover the beauty of this famous landmark on their way to discovering new land.

One of the most famous is the renowned David Livingstone, who remains synonymous with the continent of Africa and its incredible natural wilderness. In 1855, it was Livingstone who first set eyes on the natural wonder that is Victoria Falls, which straddles Zimbabwe and Zambia and has become one of the most iconic landmarks anywhere in the world.

Each year, with more couples, families and solo nomads booking African safari holidays that include a trip to this wonderful site, we’ve prepared this brief guide to Victoria Falls below.

What is Victoria Falls?

While it’s hard to do justice to this site with mere words alone, Victoria Falls is a vast and idyllic curtain of water that towers over 100 metres tall and is more than a mile wide.

Positioned over the Zambezi River, it’s estimated to be the largest waterfall in the world, while Livingstone’s suggestion that it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen is hard to dispute my any conceivable measure.

In 2008, the site was included as part of a 2008 project to create the new ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’, while the popularisation of African safari packages has made it more accessible to a whole new generation of people.

Wonder of the world

Travelling to Victoria Falls – The Key Considerations

Once you’ve decided to book a safari trip that includes a visit to Victoria Falls, the next step is to plan the logistics and ensure that you’re prepared for every eventuality.

To begin with, you need to know that both the waterfall and the surrounding town are known as Victoria Falls. The former sits a little outside the central area, while all of the local accommodation, restaurants and amenities sit within the borders of the town.

As if this wasn’t confusing enough, those arriving by air will also land at the Victoria Falls airport, which sits 20 minutes outside of the main town and in a slightly more rural area.

The best way to reach and access Victoria Falls is through Zimbabwe, as there’s a main road that passes through the town centre and it takes you to the cusp of the iconic waterfall. From here, it’s a 15-minute walk to the main site, and one of the most unique and life-affirming experiences known to man.

In terms of cost, there’s a standard adult rate of $30 for non-Zimbabweans (although this may well increase at the turn of the new financial year). This is a single- entry fee, and should you leave the site for anytime you’ll have to pay the same amount again to enjoy the same level of access.

The site itself can be enjoyed by undertaking a self-guided tour, which encompasses 16 separate viewing points. Interestingly, the first viewpoint sits just beyond the David Livingstone statute, while it takes an average of between one and two hours to complete the tour.

A trip to Victoria falls should definitely be included in your safari experience, just make sure you plan well and book with a reputable provider before you set off on your travels.




In the Love for Italy

italy

Italy has made its mark all over the globe. From the globally famous cuisine to the many historical parts that you can visit, Italy has it all. From the quaint countryside to tourist hotspots that dot the country, Italy should be on everyone’s travel list.

While, visiting Italy, it’s a waste to not live in cottages in Italy, some of the most scenic vacation rentals, where you can enjoy Italy like it was meant to. The familiarity and the enthusiasm of the locals are also fantastic, so if you want to indulge in local culture, there’s no other place in the Earth where you’ll be more welcomed. Below are some of the most pleasant places to form memories in Italy.

Valley of the Mills

The best way to describe the Valley of the Mills would be creepy. After the local flour mills and sawmills were shifted, the old structures remained. Now, they stand testament to humankind’s effort. Aggressive greenery has taken route in the arrangements leading to an odd look at the future. Check out the story of the milling culture that was the backbone of Italy back in the day, also see the way the old buildings used to operate.

Finally, though, stop, and take a sober look at the way human work always falls back to nature.

2. Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts

A Capuchin Friar once told that we all go back to the Earth. Nowhere is it clearer than this crypt. One of the places where some of the oddest burial ceremonies in the world were performed, this is somewhere you should go to. Enjoy the Crypts, and the stories they hold dear. Hundreds of Capuchin Friars were buried here, with their bones being used to decorate the walls. The walls were supposed to be reminders of how death comes.

The grim reaper is also built here, with instruments all made of bones. Some of the halls contain different body parts, with a house of skulls being one of the main attractions. One of the reminders of our diverse religious history, these Crypts are a sobering and yet, beautiful memory you’ll carry with you.

3. The Sunken City of Bala

Bala was where the rich and famous came to Party. For some centuries this city attracted people like Nero to its footsteps. However, after being raided and left for dead, the town sunk under water. Now, the remains are the attraction of an underwater park, where you can see the archeological ruins up close. See how the Romans used to live once upon a time, and what the epitome of luxury was for them.

One of the most beautiful memories to take back is the memory of swimming between the ruins while scuba diving. The waters hold wonders of wildlife, and the city looks so much grander when you see it at that range.

4. Libreria Acqua Alta

The most beautiful bookstore in the world is also one of the only floating bookstores in the world. The constant flooding of Venice means the books are kept in gondolas and bathtubs creating one of the best exact moments of your trip. FIlled with books from every corner of the world, this is a book lover’s dream. Buy a book from here and visit one of the local cafes to enjoy yourselves on some local coffee and stories.

5. Burano Islands

A set of four islands in Italy started a ritual back in the day. They began to paint their houses in bright colors. The style caught the eyes of many tourists visiting the place. So much so, that when the colors started to fade, the villagers began repainting it every two years. The Burano Islands are fascinating for the startling array of colors that welcome you from the moment when you start traveling through. Neon colors that seem like some graphical wonder come to life. Check out the Lacework museum too. These island’s residents were purveyors of lace, and some of the most beautiful artworks are displayed in the museum.

6. Herculaneum

While the effect on the city of Pompeii was instantaneous, the citizens of Herculaneum had some warning. So, this small village had the chance to evacuate. However, they left a marvel behind. Some of the most well-preserved remains of civilization have been uncovered here. You can check out the various frescos and frescos that withstood the damage. As many as 400 human remains were found in the city, and the historians have said that most of them might have been slaves. Remember to check up the Herculaneum library, once one of the largest libraries of the wall. The papyri that have been found here are securely stores in the Nation Library in Naples.

7. Neptune’s Grotto

Filled with natural stalactites and stalagmites, this is one of the most famous Grottos in Italy. You can check out the rock formations when the tide isn’t high, and they allow the visitor to visit the long Grotto on feet as you see the various parts.

Only a few hundred meters of the actual cave system is open to the public because of the unknown dangers and the studies. Check out the various structures formed by the rocks to see on what a massive scale Nature works.

8. The Rainbow Lake

It’s said that an actual Rainbow has been distributed through the lake, and once you visit the region you would know exactly why. One of those places out of Italian fairy tales, the local lore about this is fascinating. A rainbow was built by a sorcerer who had fallen in love with a nymph. However, the nymph didn’t love him back and escaped humanity forever. The sorcerer then proceeded to break the rainbow. These are the fragments of color you’ll find at this place.




Do Smartphones Hurt your Productivity?

Smartphone

There is no doubt that the world has seen some revolutionary changes with the arrival of smartphones. Today majority of the people have smartphones with them and with a world that is advancing so rapidly, surviving without a smartphone, even for a couple of hours seems like a nightmare to the people of today’s generation. And it has all the right reason for people to panic as leaving them without their smartphones would be more like keeping them in complete isolation for that period of time.

The smartphones fulfill the purpose of so many other devices which is why people don’t have to carry much. It can be used as navigator, it does majority of the functions that an ordinary laptop or a computer could, keeps track of your heath, your work schedules, your financial behaviors and many other uncountable things. Now since smartphones have so much to offer, over time, they have now become an inseparable part of everyone’s life. In a research conducted by a few, it was found that nearly 37.4% of the people consider smartphones to them are as important as it is their other human relationships.

According to many researchers, although phones are considered to be great for technologies, they having contributing quite a lot in our natural distracted state lately. With so many things in just a small compact device, people have become so dependent on this that they can’t do without it even for a single day.  And with so many apps present on our phones, they have become the prime reason for our distractions. It is known that the smartphones take the user out of the state flow which is a fundamental aspect of productivity. With constant messages and notifications coming up on our smartphones because of the various apps installed on it, they interrupt our though process continuously. Thus our phones hinder our state of mind. In simple words, they are drifting us away from our present. Now in a generation like this where everything depends on your smartphones, it is simply not possible to completely switch it off and throw it away. But one can always take some smart measures so that they use their smartphones only when it is necessary and do not use it for unnecessary things.  

Now there are many reasons which cause distractions through your smartphones. This eventually leads to a decrease in productivity. Now days for office purposes all the important messages come on your e- mails or whatsapp or other similar apps. Now checking these apps occasionally won’t hurt much but only a few people are able to have that kind of control. A majority of people would eventually start checking their smartphones every 5 minutes and this has become quite common now.

The fact that people are unable to stay away from their smartphones even for a couple of minutes is a huge warning sign.  Smartphones have not only evolved as a major advancement in technology but also one of the biggest distractions of all time which eventually affects our productivity.




Bad Habits to Avoid When Raising Children

Kids lesson

Bad habits are bad whether you have children or not. Attempting to be a better person is worthwhile for those raising kids as well as those who are not. With that said, having kids means more pressure in terms of setting a good example. Bad habits displayed in front of children will likely lead them to think these behaviors are acceptable. Even if you give them the “Do as I say, not as I do.” line, they will still associate bad habits with a role model and have a greater chance of picking them up.

Parents ought to be prepared to give up their bad habits if they haven’t already. At the very least, parents have an obligation to try and restrain themselves from displaying bad habits and misbehaviors in front of their children.

Here is a short list of common bad habits parents ought to avoid:

Smoking

Never smoke around your kids. Asthma, allergies, and other illnesses affecting the respiratory systems of children are often linked to exposure to tobacco smoke. If you’re unwilling to quit, go outdoors to keep your kids away from secondhand smoke. Switching to vape is another option to consider. Services such as ZampleBox.com make it easy to pick from hundreds of unique vape juice flavors, an option which helps ease the transition from smoking to vaping. The benefit of vape is that it does not produce the toxic fumes of smoke, eliminating the threat of second-hand smoke to your kids.

Drinking

While drinking around children doesn’t present the same immediate health risks of smoking, it does set a bad example and raise the possibility of parental negligence. In short, avoid drinking alcohol in front of your kids. Given the health risks associated with regular alcohol consumption, it’s best to avoid drinking altogether. With that said, the occasional night out with friends and a babysitter back home is fine so long as it doesn’t take priority over your family.

Profanity

The use of profane language around children is a classic no-no in the unwritten book on parenting. With that said, we all know we’ve slipped up a few times in front of our kids. A brief burst of profanity in the heat of a sudden and potentially dangerous moment, like a close call with another car in traffic, isn’t exactly something parents should beat themselves up about. It’s the casual swearing in front of your kids at home which is likely to inspire them to use similar language in the future.

Yelling

Even if two parents are able to remain as quiet as mice and patient as saints around their child, the terrible twos will reveal that humans are born to yell and scream. Having said that, we’re meant to grow out of this phase pretty fast. Parents who yell and scream at each other will teach children this behavior is normal past their toddler years. Refrain from raising your voice as much as possible, in order to set a good example for your children regarding the appropriate volume for speaking.

Bad habits are bad for everybody, but parents have a bit more responsibility when it comes to keeping their less desirable traits in check. They are looking after the future of the planet and will be providing the first impressions these young minds receive on their journey through life. With this in mind, parents should always be in the process of being a better person, for themselves and their kids.