RSS Email
You are here: Home / Archives for Melissa

The Secret to Raising Smart Kids

June 25, 2018 by

girl
Every kid in today’s era is one step ahead of its generation. They are smart and sensitive. The crux of an individual’s life is the learning phase of that person. From an infant to a man, the personality and character of a child totally depends on the upbringing and the experience of the child. In today’s SMS Generation world, people often find small children using mobile phones and electronic items, even better than them. The kids today are privileged to be growing up under conditions and circumstances which were introduced to us after a long time in life. However, it is very important for the parents to know and understand a few things so that their child does not drown in the pond of over smartness or superiority.

Never tell them, ‘You are the best!’

What if you were told that you are the best at everything and there is nothing you cannot do or cannot win. You would probably stand nowhere in the world. Many of the parents think that by saying such things, their kid will gain confidence. On the contrary, it makes the kids think that they are superior to others. It makes them over confident which can be very harmful for their personality. Instead they should be taught that they can achieve anything if they work hard. If they are working hard for a particular thing, then they will be able to taste the fruit of success. Triumph and disaster go hand in hand, hence it is up to them how they deal with the situations of life. If they are taught from an early age to work hard for something, then the kid will remember it for life.

Extra Curricular

For a growing up child it is very important to indulge in activities which make him cleverer and his brain mores sharp. A child always learns from his surroundings, hence it is very important for the parent to let the child go out in open and play. It will help him in understanding the outside world and the child will be able to relate with the conditions outside. If he is not going outside the home to play then he or she will not be able to make friends. A parent should always remember that a kid’s behavior is just directly proportional to the company he has. Once he will make friends, he will know what is just to do and what is not just to do.

Not every child is a genius

It is very important to understand a child’s potential. Not all the kids have the same grasping ability or intelligence level. This does not mean that your child is suffering from any kind of mental disorder or is mentally unstable. A child will learn things according to his potential. You should not give severe punishments or torture him presuming that he will perform better. It’s just the opposite in such cases. If your child is not able to grasp things quickly or he or she is not able to understand things, then you should try different methods of teaching that thing to him. Some more interesting and child friendly methods are there which help the kids in learning and understanding things in a better way. The parent should trust the child from the very start so that he can gain strength and courage.

Television shows

Most of the parents think that watching television is not very good for the child. They think it is harmful for the child’s eyes and also damages the child’s thinking and character. But if the parents keep an eye and sit and watch it with their child then there are many such television shows and programs which are specially designed for the children and help them in learning fast. There are special channels for the kids. It teaches the kids different things which are new to the child and they teach it in a way which is very interesting. The child is fascinated by such things and he learns better if done in such a way. There should be a proper fixed time for the child to watch T.V. And the parents should always know what their child is watching and what he likes the most.

Accepting failure

A child should be bought up in such a way that he understands that winning and losing does not matter at all. A parent should always tell the child that it does not matter if he has won or lost the competition, what actually matters is his sportsmanship. A parent should always tell his child to clap for the winning as well as the losing team so that these things don’t affect the child much in life. A good sportsmanship and spirit is what makes or breaks the reputation and personality of a person. If a child is facing defeat, then it is good for his character and competence building. It is good if a child is facing failure, he will learn to value his win then. Small children often are the most concerned about winning and losing. They take these things to heart and then ponder on it for a long time. This thinking should be avoided and the parents should try to make their child happy even in case of defeat.

A smart child is not necessarily born smart. His surroundings and most importantly his company makes him smart and intelligent. Let him do what he wants to do which is decent and good for him. He should be taught to become hard working instead of becoming successful. If he will work hard then he surely will become successful in life. We gave you some tips and tricks which can help you in raising a smart and clever kid but other than these, a child needs the support and care of his parents the most in his life. He will be able to differentiate between wrong and right if he is guided properly.




Best Places to Meet Cute Animals around the World

June 22, 2018 by

Cute animals

You love animals and you would like to cuddle them as much as you possibly can and you have planned to take a trip around the world, but you would wish to encounter some of the cutest animals on the planet. The good news is that there are a plethora of cute animals around the world and you will never be able to meet and see all of them unless you make this your main life’s mission.

However, there are certain specific places where you can go to and see certain cute baby animals. If you truly love nature and animals, then you will find taking such trips worthwhile and to help you out, here is a brief look at some of the places you should think about visiting if you only desire is to see cute animals-:

Giant Pandas in Sichuan Province, China

Giant panda

China is a cradle of attraction for all kinds of travelers. Millions around the world travel East to this country to marvel at its beauty and all the magnificent natural and historical attractions it has. The temples and the Great Wall of China are some of the most endearing attractions, but if you love animals and you wanted to see one of the most beautiful animals in the planet, then China also something for you.

This is where you will have wonderful sightings of the Giant Pandas and the place to go is the Befengxia Panda Base in Sichuan Province. In this place, you will not just have a chance to see the giant pandas, but if you are courageous enough, you can volunteer to take care of them so that you have a close encounter with them. This is the place to be if you want to spot the rear and the endangered red pandas as well. The best time to get the most of the sightings is during the morning when the giant animals are just coming from their nests and lazy around as they get their beautiful skins soaked in the rays of the rising sun.

Koalas in Queensland, Australia

Koalas

There is no denying that koalas are another category of cute animals you will ever encounter in this world. Their eyestalks of nothing but pure innocence and their fur is so soft that given a chance, some animals lovers would love to pet till the end of times. Well, if you desire to sight these animals in plenty and in their natural habitat, then all you have to do is head over to Queensland in Australia. The precise location you need to go to in Australia, at Redlands IndigiScapes Center located in Capalaba, though you will also find them in Lone Pine – Australia’s largest Koala Park.  You will be surprised to know that these animals spend between 22 and 24 hours daily sleeping in the large eucalyptus trees and you will be very lucky if you will spot one with their eyes open. For most of the time, they will always be asleep and this the best time to see them when they are the most beautiful.

Sloths in Costa Rica

Sloths

Sloth is a name to suggests laziness, and true to its word, the sloths you are hoping to see in Costa Rica, and which are without a doubt one of the most beautiful animals you will ever see in this world, are just as lazy as the name suggests. Spotting them is never easy. Their color creates the perfect camouflage in the thick foliage and you will have to train your eyes so that you get can be able to catch them in the forests. Besides, they also move very slowly and in a stealth mode, thus allowing them to avoid being spotted by predators.

The best places to check out if you want a good viewing of the sloths in Costa Rica is at Manuel Antonio National Park and the Sloth Sanctuary. In addition to seeing sloths in these places, you will also be treated to beautiful sightings of monkeys and plenty of birds. If you are feeling more adventurous and you want more of the wild animals, then you can head deep into the forests to Corcovado National Park and see as many wildlife as you possible can – jaguars, crocodiles, sea turtles, and tapirs are some of the animals you will be found in this park.

Lemurs in Madagascar

lemrus

There have always been mixed reactions about lemurs. At the present times, they have a reputation of being among the cute animals in the world, but a while back, they were feared or worshipped as being representatives of evil spirits. However, one thing that remains a fact, whether or not they have spirits, is the fact that they are indeed very beautiful and you could spend a whole day just looking at them. In a survey conducted in 2010, it was revealed that there are over one hundreds species of Lemur and if you want to get the best sightings of them, then you have every reason to head over to Madagascar. The precise place to go to is Andasibe-Mantadia National Park or the Ranomafana National Park. In these two places, you will have a chance to see not just one, but a couple of lemur species, including the endangered mouse lemur and the golden bamboo lemur which holds the records for being the smallest primates in the world.

Meerkats in Kalahari Desert, Africa

Meerkats are just as elusive and lazy as sloths and so it means that seeing them is never easy, but if you manage to, then you will behold one of the cute animals in the world. These animals live in underground burrows with plenty of exits and they will not sit around and wait for you to see them. If you want to have a great sighting of them, then you should consider going for an organized safari in Africa then you will be sure to see them, but from a distance, especially at midmorning when they come to bask in the sun.




Should the Worst Happen: How to Prepare for a Divorce

June 21, 2018 by

Divorce

Marriage, as they say is an institution and a happy one at that. It is a sad fact of life, however, that some marriages will end in divorce, this is painful and stressful but true. So, here we investigate how to prepare for a divorce, should the worst happen.

Find Out What it is All About

For those who are facing divorce it is important that they enter into the process with their eyes wide open and with a clear understanding of what the process entails. We are fortunate enough to live in a time where the internet can offer a mine of information and this is a good place to start.

Once you have a broad perspective of how the process of divorce works then you can begin to apply that knowledge to your own personal circumstances – but is not just information that you will require.

Get Some Emotional Support

Support comes in many forms and generally speaking the more support you can get the better. Looking to talk things through with family and friends may be the first port of call, however, it may be the case that a little further down the line you need support that is more objective.

Divorce support groups may not be for everybody, but if you are feeling particularly vulnerable or don’t have friends or family close at hand, then they can be a really valuable lifeline. Plus, you will get a friendly shoulder to lean on and one that can offer non-judgemental and objective feedback.

Investigate the Legal Lowdown

Inevitably, there will be a point at which you will want some sound legal advice. A consultation with a specialist legal firm such as Wither Worldwide is a good place to start and will enlighten you regarding the variety of support that is on offer. Legal mediation, for example, can be extremely helpful for couples who are having problems agreeing on the terms of their divorce. Mediation is, generally speaking, fast and a much less stressful solution than a more formal court proceeding and is will also cost less.

Perhaps the most useful fact to bear in mind, if you find yourself facing a divorce, is that there is now more help and support to be had than ever before. Use this support to pursue an amicable divorce that has the best interests of all concerned in mind and you may just find that divorce that very quickly there is light at the end of the tunnel.




Transform Your Backyard with a Jungle Gym

June 20, 2018 by

Backyard

Think back to when you were a kid and how great it was when your parents took you to the neighborhood playground.  Complete with a swing set, slides, monkey bars, and walls for climbing, you happily spent hours there entertaining yourself all afternoon, until the sun started to fade away over the horizon.

Now as a parent yourself, these memories and the fun times you had are almost enough to convince you that you need to install your own version of a playground for your kids right in the convenience of your backyard.

But if you aren’t convinced by remembering how much you used to love the playground yourself, here’s four other reasons to remind you of why you need to install your customised version of Funscapes Backyard Entertainment Solutions:

Family Time

While having a backyard playground is a great way to keep the kids happy and occupied outdoors, it’s about more than just your children. A playground is a great way to bring you family together, encouraging everyone to play outside in the evenings, or for mom and dad to sit outside on the deck while the kids are on the swings.  It helps strengthen family bonds, teaching valuable lessons in sibling friendship and gratitude, and of course, brings along lots of laughs, smiles, memories, and fun times together.

Renovation Friendly

Unlike other parts of your house, because the Funscapes Backyard Entertainment Solution is external to your house, should you go under renovation, build onto your home, or even move to a new location, the jungle gym stands strong! It provides a great source of stability in your child’s growth and development and can be a consistent play place, often working to ease anxiety and reduce stress experienced by your child in times of transition and change.

Builds Community

One of the biggest benefits of installing a Funscapes Backyard Entertainment Solution, is that while it may be in your backyard, it is a great way to build community, foster friendships, and encourage interaction with neighbourhood families.  You can invite local families over for a play date, and both families can enjoy time outside together, while the children learn important lessons such as sharing, taking turns, and interacting appropriately within a social setting.  For many children, an outdoor jungle gym becomes the root of many well-crafted memories with local neighbourhood kids and becomes a way to develop lifelong, trusting relationships.

If you’re ready to help improve the health and well being of your children, spend more time playing and laughing outside as a family, and work to build better relationships within your community, it’s time to consider a Funscapes Backyard Entertainment Solution.  With a huge array of options available, we are sure to have one to meet your needs. Get started on your plans today by contacting Funscapes. We can’t wait to help you out and work with you to build family memories and childhood friendships.




What your Kid Can Drink Instead of Soda

June 18, 2018 by

mocktail

Kids love soda; it tastes good and it is easily available. Most soft drinks also contain a deadly ingredient: caffeine. Caffeine can be addictive, thereby making the habit of drinking soda difficult to curb. Here is an alarming fact – A 20-ounce bottle of soda contains the equivalent of approximately 16 teaspoons of sugar, but the American Heart Association recommends that Americans consume no more than five to nine teaspoons of sugar per day. Moreover, children who drink one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day have 55% greater odds of being overweight or obese. While we cannot control what our kids drink when they are out, we can do our part to control their soda habits at home. Here are some healthy, and delicious substitutes for soda that your kids are bound to love!

1. Virgin Mojito (Serves 2)

Ingredients:
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped.
• 1 large lime, cut into small wedges
• 2 cups sparkling water
• Ice, as desired.
• 4 tbsp sugar
Directions:
Crush the mint leaves and lemon using a wooden spoon. Add the sparkling water, and sugar and stir well. Add ice, and garnish with more mint leaves before serving.

2. Kombucha

Kombucha is a Chinese beverage that is currently popular worldwide. It is a naturally carbonated fizzy drink, which makes it the perfect alternative to soda. It also had a lot of health benefits, so your little ones will have nothing to worry about. You get to buy this wonder drink in most grocery stores, or you can even try making it at home!

3. Apple Cider Water Kefir

Ingredients:
Water Kefir- 3 ½ cups
Apple juice- ¼ cup
Sugar – 1 teaspoon
Directions:
Pour the water kefir into an airtight bottle, and add the apple juice and sugar to it. Shake the bottle well and keep the bottle closed, at room temperature, for up to three days. Open carefully, and refrigerate. Serve chilled.

4. Flavored Water

Spruce up your boring water with the natural flavors of fruits and vegetables. Here are some good combinations:
• Strawberry+ Basil+ Sparkling water+ Ice
• Mint+ Lime+ Sparkling water+ Ice
• Cucumber+ Lemon+ Sparkling water+ Ice
• Watermelon+ Rosemary+ Sparkling water+ Ice
• Pineapple+ Mint+ Sparkling water+ Ice
• Mixed berries+ Sparkling water+ Ice

5. Iced Tea

Ingredients:
• 8 tea bags of black tea
• 1 medium lemon
• 8 cups boiling water
• Ice
• Sugar, if desired.
Directions:
Place the tea bags in a large bowl. Add the peel of the lemon to the bowl. Pour the hot water to the bowl and leave it for a few minutes to let the flavors combine well. Remove the tea bags and strain the tea. Refrigerate the tea for 2 hours. Add sugar and ice before serving.

6. Arnold Palmer

This delicious drink is names after the legendary golfer, Arnold Palmer, who would always order half-lemonade and half-iced tea. It is the perfect drink to have on a hot summer afternoon, to quench your thirst and keep you feeling refreshed!
Ingredients:
• ½ cup Lemonade
• ½ cup Iced Tea
• Ice
• Sugar, if desired.
Directions:
Fill the glass with the lemonade and the iced tea. Add sugar and ice before serving.




The Latest Collection of Extraordinary yet Affordable Paddleboards

June 14, 2018 by

Affordable paddleboards

Individuals of every age group like to have the maximum fun and like to enhance their lifestyle in various aspects.  They have decided to exercise and follow an appropriate diet plan on a regular basis. If they have a crush on paddle boarding, then they can explore the most advanced designs of inexpensive paddle boards right now. They will get an overview of how to successfully compare the world-class yet reasonable prices of stand up paddleboards available for sale in online stores.

Attractive paddleboards

Qualified designers and manufacturers of paddleboards worldwide in recent times have a dedication to providing the best yet reasonable prices of paddleboards. They pay attention to ever-increasing requirements of customers and trends in the market.  You can directly make contact with the number one shop where a list of paddleboards is available in different categories. You will get the absolute assistance and fulfil wishes on the easiest method to narrow down loads of paddleboards without difficulty in any aspect.

Crystal clear specifications as well as images of paddleboards from renowned brands these days give you the absolute assistance required for fulfilling paddleboard shopping requirements on the whole.  You can get in touch with specialists in the most modern paddleboards on online and gain knowledge of advanced aspects of inexpensive paddleboards from reputable brands on the market.

Buy and use the best paddleboard

Buy best paddle boards

All users of the best paddleboards in our time get more than expected enjoyment. They take pleasure in the paddle boarding activities and enhance everything related to their entertainment. They make certain that buying a brand new paddleboard is a good investment in fun, exercise as well as lifestyle. They spend their leisure time as enjoyable as possible due to the world-class paddle board and enhanced paddleboarding activities. They recommend the first-class yet reasonable price of the paddleboard to their kith and kin.

There are loads of designs and sizes of paddleboards available for sale in the reputable shop on online. You have to find out and purchase one of the most appropriate paddleboards recommended by satisfied users all through the nation after you have ensured about the following things.

  • Paddleboarding expertise and expectations
  • Budget
  • Paddle board types
  • Paddle board sizes
  • Storage space
  • Durability
  • User-friendliness
  • Pros and cons
  • Reviews and recommendations

Types of paddle boards

Paddleboards type

Different types of paddle boards are available for sale and recommended by experts in this sector. The main categories of paddle boards on the market in our time are as follows.

  • Surfing boards
  • Touring boards
  • Inflatable boards
  • Racing boards

As a beginner to the paddle board, you require the complete assistance from experts in this industry and gain knowledge of how to be successful in your approach to buy an appropriate paddle board. The entire specifications of paddle boards and real images of these products enhance the level of convenience of everyone to directly choose and purchase one of the most outstanding paddleboards.

Concentrate on the size

The size is one of the main things to bear in mind while comparing the most outstanding brands of paddleboards. You have to take note of the exact size of the paddle board before deciding on the paddleboard shopping. The size of the paddleboard of any brand is given in volume. A paddle board with wide, thick and long features does not fail to have the highest possible volume.

Experts in the paddleboard design nowadays make sure that the big paddleboard has a less responsive nature than a small paddleboard. If you are a beginner o he paddleboarding, then you can buy and use a high volume paddleboard. You will get an instant assistance and enhance everything associated with the safe paddleboarding.

Cost

Paddle cost

You may have a reasonable financial plan for the best paddleboard shopping at this time. You can directly get in touch with the specialized paddleboard shop on online and begin a step to narrow down the latest list of paddleboards as comprehensive as possible. You will get the most expected assistance and take advantage of the easiest method to purchase a reasonable price of the paddleboard. You will be satisfied with an inexpensive yet the most outstanding nature of the paddleboard.

Storage space

Every potential buyer of the paddle board has to consider the storage space. They have to make a clear plan to store the paddleboard when they do not use it.  They have to ensure that whether a paddleboard can be accommodated inside the car or require a rental trailer for transportation.  You may get confused with storage space feature of paddleboards available on the market in recent times. You can directly make contact with a specialized customer support team and clarify overall doubtful issues. You will get the absolute guidance as soon as possible. You will realize expectations on the easiest method to choose and purchase a high quality paddle board devoid of compromising your requirements.

The most suggested paddleboards

Suggested boards

Out of the ordinary features of inexpensive paddleboards from well-known brands in recent times make every user happier than ever. All listeners to the most suggested list of paddleboards nowadays can make an informed decision and purchase a suitable paddleboard based on overall paddle boarding expectations. You can focus on and compare popular the following paddleboards subsequent to a complete analysis of a variety of important things.

  • ISLE Cruiser soft top stand-up paddle board
  • Gold coast ANIMA stand-up paddle board
  • Sun Dolphin Seaquest
  • CBC Hydra Classic Foam stand-up paddle board
  • Ten Toes Weekender Inflatable stand-up paddle board

It is the correct time to become skilled at the main features of paddleboards and double-check how to successfully fulfil overall expectations on the paddleboard shopping. You will get the most outstanding guidance and make your wishes on the stress-free method to own one of the best paddleboards.  Satisfied and smart users of the world-class paddleboards in recent times take note of every significant feature. They compare these paddleboards and recommend the most exceptional paddleboards to their friends and beginners to the paddleboard shopping.

Our friends at Globo Surf have some great guides and tips on how to choose an inflatable SUP.




Why Being an Anxious Dater is Keeping You From Finding Love

June 11, 2018 by

stress

A few years ago, the book “Attached” by Amir Levine and Rachel S.F. Heller, had everyone in the psychology world engaging in conversations over our attachment style in intimate and familial relationships. This book claimed that there were basically 3 attachment styles, and most people were fundamentally one type, but could switch if in the right type (or wrong type) of relationship.

The types as discussed in the book were avoidant, anxious, and secure. Avoidant types are those who tend to be commitment phobic and hard to get close to. Avoidant types could be successful in love, but they simply want to keep their lover at arms length. Fundamentally they equate intimacy with death of personal freedom. Secure types crave intimacy and want to be close to someone, but in a healthy way. Though things aren’t always perfect for them, they have the inner tools to create fulfilling relationships without too much drama. And the anxious dater? Well, dating and relationships can be a touchy subject for this type. If you find that dating takes up most of your thinking and your relationships can be described as passionate and tumultuous, you probably fit in this category. I myself have been an anxious type for most of my 20s. Now that I’m in my 30s, I wouldn’t say I’m cured completely, but my inner work did help me land the amazing partner I have now.

Here’s the same advice I would have given myself, if I could go back in time.

Why are you anxious?

The reason you’re so anxious is probably because of your childhood. For some reason your emotional needs weren’t met and now you’re seeking validation through your partners. The trick is that you probably didn’t get your needs met because your primary caregiver was an avoidant type, or because of circumstances, couldn’t connect or give you the amount of love you craved. So now you keep trying to prove your value to partners who just can’t give you the attention, because they’re avoidant, or for other problems in their psyche.

“Because my mother was raising me on her own,” Tina R. laments, “I felt I was always craving her attention. I was always competing with her job or with her boyfriends. The boyfriends were the worst. I felt like they paid attention to me for a little while, and just to be with my mom, but I hated them all. I felt like my mother would rather spend time with them and not me.”

You choose the wrong partners

If you’re an anxious dater, you make it harder on yourself by choosing guys who will make you anxious. Maybe your friends have noticed that you seem to be a magnet for the biggest loser in the room. It feels natural to be with guys who can’t commit or ones you don’t trust. Even if you don’t pick the guys who are obviously bad, sometimes you just pick boyfriends who aren’t completely into you and since you don’t feel completely secure, it sets you up to be miserable. Not good.

Tina R., someone currently receiving therapy for her anxiety, and love life, has a long varied history of picking some bad partners. “My first boyfriend ever was Jake. There was instant chemistry, but before long we started to become toxic. I was always jealous of every girl he spoke to, and in turn he was the same way. As the relationship progressed our fights started to become physical.” Now, looking back, Tina is able to see why she stayed in the relationship:

“I never felt secure in my relationships. I think even though he beat me, he also validated me when the fighting was over with attention. I think he was also an anxious type.”

You’ve established unhealthy patterns in your relationships

Being an anxious type, you tend to create the drama in your relationships. Your partner isn’t showing you enough affection? Well, maybe you should go cold and ignore them completely until they’re able to read your mind and give you the affection you crave. Maybe you should also accuse them of cheating on you with their new coworker. See if you can get a reaction out of them. Even if it’s not a good reaction, it at least gets them to show some emotion, and that’s good right?

Though being an anxious type, you tend to choose bad partners, you also can be the bad partner.

In Tina’s case: “After dating the guy who was physically abusive, I started dating someone who had had relatively calm relationships with his girlfriends in the past. I started accusing him of being with other girls, though I had no proof or reason to think he was. I was always just paranoid. Before long, we started to argue constantly. We’d have big blow outs every few months and break up and then get back together.”

You lack the confidence for better partners and relationships

Even if you know you keep choosing the wrong partners, you start to think you’re not good enough for the stable, healthy, and emotionally secure partners. You may notice that your friends are choosing boyfriends who are very handsome and successful. They also end up having a wonderful relationship built on mutual trust and respect. You wish you could trust someone enough to have the same fun laid back relationships.

Steps to stop

If you feel that you’re an anxious type and it’s affecting your dating life, you may want to consider seeking professional help. Start with analyzing what common themes and patterns your past partners have all shared. How did your behavior hurt or help the relationship? What emotions or thinking occurs during this behavior?
The partner that you pick is also integral to your well being. If in the past you picked others who were untrustworthy, start by picking people who you can trust. Start a relationship with someone where you feel safe in the partnership. The good news is that even an anxious type can become secure with the right information (to realize their destructive behavior) and with the right person.




Transitioning Together – The Importance of Community for the Elderly

June 8, 2018 by

Elderly Community

Many would know that as human beings, and indeed, as animals, we have a natural desire to identify with others. We are, after all, part of a group of mammals who feel the need to connect and socialise. Identifying with a common group makes us feel wanted, included and gives a means of belonging and support.

This becomes ever more important as we go through the different stages of life. Not only does it help us recognise where we belong in society, but to build new relationships and friendships with those in a similar situation.

So, when we reach our “twilight years,” how do we make the transition into a new community and build up those new relationships?

A village feel:

If you are a person who is among those who have lived in small towns, you build up a certain level of closeness and belonging with those around you. You knew everyone and had a level of connection with those you saw regularly, possibly building long lasting friendships over time.

Many retirement villages help to offer this feeling of tight knit community, while giving you the option to remain independent and have still live in your own private space. This closeness allows the elderly to build up new relationships, which can help with mental health and connections.

Group activities:

Sharing common interests and hobbies is often how we build connections with others. Whether it is something such as knitting or art, it helps to build brain connections by learning or creating something new for either the person or someone else to enjoy.

In addition, using these connections can help to maintain cognitive function and stave off certain psychological ailments, such as depression. It can also be a source of fun that you can enjoy with others regularly.

A Younger Touch:

Learning and growing with other age demographics can also have its benefits for the elderly. Whether it’s through grandchildren or other interactions with younger generations, it can help both parties. As my grandmother would often attest to, it helps “keep you sane”, as well as “up-to-date and on your toes” with what is current.

As much as we all like a bit of nostalgia, it can help the elder generation to remain in the present, while for the younger group, the elder generation can assert some wisdom they may not have yet gained.

According to Ish- Horowicz, and an article in the Guardian on the elderly and toddlers “It’s about learning through generations and caring for each other”, proves that regular social interaction is important and helps both with learning new skills.

Combats Loneliness:

As discussed in the previous point, being part of a community helps with social interaction. This can help to stave off loneliness and feelings of isolation, which can be prevalent as we age.

According to David Inn and Forbes, loneliness greatly affects mental health as “approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition…taking steps to encourage social activities is essential.”

Benefits physical health:

Being part of a social community has many benefits for seniors, linked to increases in physical health.

According to AgingCare.com, by taking up regular exercise within your community, seniors can benefit from improved cardiovascular health, better bone structure, and limited chances of dementia due to regular learning and socialising with others.

Being in a common activity with others also helps to reduce stress, which can help with combating many chronic conditions, helping to keep the elderly slightly more independent.

Now, when it comes to the “golden years,” invite a close-knit neighbour, for cake or a cup of coffee. For who knows what friends you’ll make.




10 Common Travel Money Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them

June 7, 2018 by

Traveler mistakes

The more frequently you travel, the more likely you are to seek out travel money hacks and ways to save money. However, when looking to save money while traveling, it is important to know the mistakes that can add to the cost of your holiday.

Here are 10 common travel money mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Failing to Inform Your Bank of Your Travel Plans

If you forget to notify your bank of your travel plans, you risk having your cards frozen for fraudulent charges. Having a card declined is not only inconveniencing but can be costly to resolve. Therefore, make it a point to notify your bank or card provider of your travel plans.

2. Not Taking Out Travel Insurance

Make sure you buy travel insurance when traveling abroad. The coverage will protect you against financial losses incurred following unexpected events such as theft, loss of baggage and belongings, illness, injury, holiday cancellation and travel delays. If you’re a frequent traveller, consider investing in an annual plan instead of paying per trip.

There are numerous travel insurance comparison tools that can help you find the right coverage for your trip. Some popular tools worth trying out include Squaremouth and InsureMyTrip to name a few.

3. Paying in Home Currency – Rather Than the Local Currency

While paying in sterling or pounds may seem simple, it is often expensive. Retailers charge a conversion fee for foreign currency transactions meaning you’ll be paying more for whatever you’re buying. You’re also likely going to get the worst exchange rate.

If you’re given the option to pay in local currency or your country’s currency, always choose to pay in local currency.

4. Exchanging Money at The Airport

A common mistake tourists make when travelling is buying currency at the airport. Currency exchange booths at airports have less competitive rates and may also charge a fee for the service. The best way to get value for money and have more control over the rates you get is to plan ahead. You can also exchange currency at a high street bureau or a bureau de change that’s away from tourist hotspots. Currency exchange comparison sites like Comparecurrency.com allow you to get the best deal before you leave for your holiday.

5. Carrying Travellers Cheques

Travellers cheques were once a preferred way to foreign currency. This is because they could be refunded if lost or stolen, were safe – they required the holder’s signature to be used and convenient – were accepted by most retailers around the world.

Today, travellers cheques are only accepted by a few banks around the world meaning you’ll have a hard time cashing out the money. A great alternative to a travellers cheque is to carry a debit card, credit card, travel cards or pre-paid currency card.

6. Eating near Tourist Attractions

Cafes and restaurants around popular tourist hotspots are often expensive and have low quality food. To avoid eating at tourist traps, spend some time before your trip finding out where the locals eat and drink. You can also ask your hotel concierge for recommendations.

7. Using a Taxi or Rental Car to Get Around

Before you rent a car or flag down a cab, explore the different options for getting around the city. Many cities offer different modes of public transport including buses, trains, and trams. Another option for getting around the city is carpooling with other tourists to your destination.

Using public transport or carpooling services will help you save money on transportation costs when compared to using a rental car or taxi.

8. Using your Regular Credit or Debit Card for Spending

Credit and debit cards are a safe, convenient and flexible way to pay abroad. However, if you’re not careful they may prove expensive. Most cards charge a foreign transaction fee ranging from 2% to 3% and a transaction fee ranging from £1 – £1.5 each time you use your card overseas.

The simplest way to avoid these charges it to use cash when possible. If you prefer using a card, consider getting yourself a card designed for overseas spending.

9. Keeping All Your Money in One Place

When you withdraw money, don’t keep it in one place. Split it up and keep a set amount in your backpack, money belt, or on your person. Some hotels have safes where you can hide some of the cash.

10. Not Researching Your Destination’s Tipping Policy

While it’s customary to tip your waiter or waitress between 10-15% of the bill in the UK, that’s not the case in most countries. Different countries have different policies. For instance, the service charge in the United States and Canada is 15-20% while that in Asian countries is 10-16%.

Be sure to research the tipping policy of your destination so you don’t end up tipping more.

Avoiding these travel money mistakes will help you save some money while enjoying your vacation overseas.




5 Life Lessons Every Parent Needs to Teach Their Kids

June 4, 2018 by

Kids lesson

The lessons you give your sons and daughters when they are little kids stays with them for a life time. Train them up from childhood and they will grow up to be strong and confident people. We have heard the saying “child is the father of man” often enough without probably never understanding the depths of the quote. Following are certain lessons we should teach kids as parents.

1. The Importance of Hardwork

The mind to work hard can be cultivated in your kid by helping them to understand its importance. Teach them how fruitful a quality  hard work is. They should understand that things can be achieved in life only through perseverance and hard work. Kids have to learn such things early in their life for them to grow up as human beings who are capable of chasing their own dreams.It is not necessary that they will get to do only what they love. Teach them that every work they do will have long term benefits. It is necessary to do these so they can reach their goals.

2. To Respect and to be respected

It is of utmost importance that a kid learns the value of respect. They should be taught to respect everyone irrespective of their differences. They should respect people in all walks of life. It is said that a man’s behavior can be understood your how he treats those beneath him. It is thus necessary that kids respect their elders, peers and their young ones equally. They must also learn that they should earn respect by respecting others.

3. Necessity of being kind and forgiving

Kindness and the willingness are two wonderful qualities we need to cultivate in kids. These are values that can define a true human being and thus substantial in any kid. As a child, if they are taught to share what they have and be kind to everyone around them, bullying can be prevented to a great extent in schools.

4. Gratefulness for the life they live

Kids should grow up appreciating the life they have been given. It is a great part of how they view the world. Being grateful for everything they have will give them a new appreciation of life itself. But it is not a value easily found unless you teach them to view things from that point of view from early in the childhood. As important as it is, they should also know they deserve the things they have been given. Every day, kids should try to be worthy of being alive and healthy.

5. Helpfulness is a requirement

Being helpful should not be a choice for your kids at any point in their life. This can be made possible by imparting in them the positivity of being helpful. The willingness to help those who are in need of assistance should develop in them as they grow. The best way to cultivate this is by setting examples yourself. When they watch you being kind, grateful or helpful, your kids are bound to copy you in their life.




« Previous Page
Next Page »