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How to Talk With and Teach Children about Issues of Safety

April 9, 2018 by

accidentsEvery parent in the world wants his or her child to be happy and safe. Most of the children do live a happy and well-loved lives but the world we live in may sometimes get scary and unsafe for them. The concern of parents even rises after watching on the news the type of crime and security issues related with children that are happening around the world. Reports like accidents, molestations, kidnapping etc. are quite common these days. This has made the safety and security of the kids, the top priority for the parents. However there are certain ways through which parents can teach their children about their safety, make them aware and reduce the risk of them becoming vulnerable to such incidents. Here are some of them that will help you out to deal with this issue.

1. Safety is more important as an aspect to be focused on rather than the danger itself. As a parent one needs to be comfortable enough to talk to the child about how to deal with unknown people and situations. A child should also feel comfortable enough to open up to the parents about any mishappenings. Parents should make sure that the child is informed about the safety measures as per the suitability of their age. Kids should know what to do when they are alone at home or when someone does any inappropriate things to them.

2. Give up the fact that only strangers can harm your children. In fact in most of the cases, the real culprit is someone known who may be a relative, caretaker or guardian of the child. As a parent it is your responsibility to make your child recognize the danger arising from people who are close to him. He should be able to realize it, whenever any inappropriate action is done against the by people close to him. Thus, they need to know that they should be able to look out for their safety in all contexts and not just the strangers.

3. Kids are rule followers and they follow their parents, guardian since the very start of their lives. Use this attribute of the child to teach them some basic safety rules but should also promote reasoning and critical thinking on their part. You do not have to simply make them follow rules, but make them realize the importance and logic behind them.




Think Your Child Might Have A Learning Disability?

April 3, 2018 by

You love your child more than anything, and in your eyes they can do no wrong. It’s your parental instinct to want what’s best for your child, and sometimes that means facing uncomfortable truths, one of which is that your child might have a learning disability. Make no mistake: it is no mark against them as a person, nor is it a mark against you as a parent; it is simply a fact of life, whose causes are both varied and, often, not well known.

A child with a learning disability might be just as smart (and often smarter!) than their peers, but owing to some neurological difference they might have trouble with conventional learning processes, like reading and writing. Thankfully, with care and intervention, children with learning disabilities can go on to be successful both in school and in their lives thereafter. Here are a few facts about learning disabilities, as well as what you can do if you think your child might have a learning disability.

Learning disability

What is a learning disability?

According to the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, learning disabilities “refer to a number of disorders which may affect the acquisition, organization, retention, understanding or use of verbal or nonverbal information.” Put another way, they are neurological differences (indeed, some prefer to the term “learning difference”) that cause difficulty in learning. Common learning disabilities include Dyslexia (trouble reading), Dyscalculia (trouble comprehending math and arithmetic), Dysgraphia (trouble with written expression) and Dyspraxia (difficulty forming speech). Early diagnosis of learning disabilities, is invaluable for parents as it provides a roadmap for understanding their child’s challenges and finding effective solutions.
Understanding dyslexia in children and identifying the issues early on, for instance, allows parents to explore various intervention strategies, such as specialized reading programs and individualized tutoring. These interventions are designed to target the specific difficulties associated with dyslexia, helping children develop essential reading and writing skills. Additionally, assistive technologies, audiobooks, and speech-to-text software can provide valuable support for children with dyslexia, enhancing their learning experience and academic achievements.

What are the signs?

If your child has consistent, prolonged difficulty reading; if they struggle with math concepts, even after thorough, repeated explanation; if they have difficulty writing; or they make repeated, often inconsistent errors in speech production, they might have a learning disability. You might have noticed that they have difficulty concentrating, or that their academic performance is inconsistent, which could also be cause for concern. If your child is struggling at school, it could be a sign that there is an underlying learning disability at work, and that you should take them for an assessment.

What are the next steps?

If you suspect your child might have a learning disability, the next step is to access a psycho-educational assessment from a child psychologist. Aside from the value of understanding your child’s strengths and shortcomings better, the benefits of seeing a child psychologist are that they can then offer recommendations to improve learning and address difficulties, as well as offer a helpful diagnosis or identification. There are wonderful health services right here in Ajax that are ready to help, and it’s just a matter of contacting them.

Learning assessment

Though your child might have a learning disability, there is no reason that they shouldn’t get all the same opportunities as others to learn and express themselves. Start here, by understanding learning disabilities better and how to detect them, and then seek the help of a child psychologist, who will assess your child and offer recommendations for learning. You want what’s best for your child, and that means understanding both their strengths and their shortcomings.




5 Things to Know About Parent-Child Relationships

April 2, 2018 by

Parenting

The relationship between a parent and a child is different from all other relations and is unique. The kind of bond that a parent shares with his or her child is unmatched in love, care and affection. There may be a difference in the way a child bonds with his father and mother but the basis of the relationship is always the same. The never ending love and care of parents for their children forms the strong basic foundation of their pure relationship. The role of a parent is very critical for a child’s development both physically and mentally. The emotional and mental support that the child gets from the parents since the very beginning of his life shapes his future personality and tough process. Here are 5 things that one should be aware of regarding parent-child relationships.

1) Creating a positive atmosphere around your child is very important for his mental health. The warmth and the control that a parent could provide to his children is something that he cannot find anywhere else. For sound mental development of the children it is necessary to instill in them the power to control their emotions and temperament. This is affected strongly by parental upbringing and sensitivity.

2) There is a difference between the childrearing capabilities of a mother and a father that leads to unique relationship qualities of both of them. It is important that both mother and father play their role equally well and contribute for good well being of their child. A child should be comfortable and should be able to relate himself equally well with both paternal and maternal caring and support.

3) Emotions are an important part of child’s development process. The way a child behaves emotionally in various situations and the way he sees the emotions of his parents around him affects his overall thought process. It is the core of child’s development as a strong individual later in his life. Hence the regulation of child-parent emotions is very critical.

4) A good relationship between the parents themselves is very important for creating a positive impact on the child’s mind. Hostility of parents towards each other or strained relationships could adversely impact the child both mentally and emotionally.

5) The relationship between a father and a daughter can be far more protected at the beginning whereas the father-son relation is more likely to be affected by the effects of parental hostility. The social factors surrounding maternal caring influences infant development since the very beginning.




Innovative Games for Family Picnics

March 26, 2018 by

Family picnic

Sandwiches, soda, chips etc are essentials for any outdoor picnic taking place. But not only can these things make the picnic a fun outing. Some energizing activities are also required to make the outing a fun day to remember. Activities and game that kids and also adults will enjoy and keep them occupied. If these games are not there then boredom can cut short the picnic time very quickly. With the games for all age groups, these games also are the means for the laughter and create new memories to be remembered. Also these games make the family bond even stronger and encourage the good interactions among the family members. Some of these games are listed below:

1. The Banana game: All the members stand in a line where there is a starting mark. With the help of a string a banana is kept hanging from their waist and it hovers nearly above the ground level. Each player is provided with a ball in front of them. They have to swing the tied banana and hit the ball and make it cross the finish line first. The finish line is nearly 300 feet away from the start point.

2. Egg Race: this is one of the favorite games, and it is a great game when played in a large group. Teams of two members are made and these two members are made to stand 30 feet apart from each other. They should be facing each other. An egg is placed on the spoon which they have to hold with their teeth. Now the first player has to run to their teammate without letting the egg fall. They pass the egg to the teammate and he r she runs to the initial point to complete the race.

3. Charades: this is one of the traditional games are everyone enjoys it a lot. You have to come up with list of shows or movies or anything to act out and let others guess. You cannot speak at the time you are acting or describing the name of the movie or a show. Groups can be made and each category must be made from which then type of thing must be chosen to writ in the list. These categories could be:
• One movie
• One famous person
• One phrase
• One book
• One activity
And many more games are there which refreshes the family and cut the boredom away. These games always make the picnic time enjoyable and fun to be remembered.




Understanding Car Leasing: Commonly Asked Questions

March 26, 2018 by

Auto leasing

So you’re thinking about leasing a car. This can be a fantastic decision for you depending on your circumstances, and in certain ones, makes much more sense than buying a car outright. Leasing a car enables you to have access to a car, without having to pay a hefty sum up-front.

Here are some common questions asked about leasing a car:

1) Is it better than buying?

This really depends on your circumstances; it’s similar to whether buying a property is better than renting. If you’re looking for a mid-term solution, for example, you are only moving to a country for a year or two, leasing would be a better solution than buying as you’ll only need the car while you’re there. If however, you’re deciding to grow a family with your partner, then leasing may present more problems than buying!

2) How do residual values work?

Residual values on a car are how much the car will be worth as the car gets older and used more. These are normally taken into account with the leasing price so that the car’s leaser doesn’t lose out from depreceiation of the car. CreditPlus have a very good explainer on this!

3) How is sales tax applied to lease?

This very much depends on your state’s tax laws, so it’s always a very good idea to check those first! The simplest way to think about it however, is that the base rate of sales tax applies to each monthly payment, as opposed to the whole lease. So you’ll multiply the sales tax for each month and add it onto that payment. There are many exemptions and details however, and the Sales Tax Institute has a good guide on what the exemptions are here.

4) Which parts of a lease are negotiable?

Normally the terms that are most negotiable are financial: The down payment on the lease, the buy-out option and the cost of the lease per month. The others you can negotiate are: time spent leasing the car, the mileage limit and any incentives or discount you can get.

5) What if I want to end the lease early?

Ending your car lease early can be a problem. While most leases enable you to end the contract early, all of them will have penalties and disincentives to lower the risk of you doing so. In most cases, you will have to pay the remainder of the lease amount, a termination fee, costs of cleaning and preparing the car for another sale and others besides. You should always check the contract before you sign for terms of early termination to know your rights.

6) All questions are answered on ICL leasing guide!

We’ve tried to answer most of your questions in this article, but if you have more, then you can find a great guide on the Intelligent Car Leasing site! So go and pop over to them to do your research on leasing!




Why Staying Active is Important as a New Parent

March 26, 2018 by

Parent activity

Being a new parent is exhausting!  It is a constant round of sleepless nights, washing, changing nappies, calming the tears (sometimes baby’s and your own!).  All this is commonly performed along with the normal household demands of cooking and cleaning and perhaps caring for other children.

To suggest to a new parent that on top of all this they need to get some exercise can be a bridge too far.  Allow me to point out a few positives which can be achieved through getting out and getting active.

Weight

Everyone knows the benefits exercise can have on the waistline. Both walking and jogging are excellent methods to promote fitness and weightloss and can be performed with baby in tow.

There are now some superb, cutting edge 3 wheel prams on the market, ideally designed for power walking and jogging.  These prams and strollers are crafted to protect baby from the rigours of jogging over rough terrain whilst also protecting them from harsh weather conditions.

Relaxation

Taking a stroll around the neighbourhood is a very underrated tool for relaxing.  Breathing in the air, meandering through local parks and literally smelling the roses.

Research indicates that regular exercise can reduce stress and anxiety.  Rather than making you tired, it has been found to reduce fatigue, elevate the mood and improve sleep.

Mental health

In another study, it was found that those participating in regular, vigorous exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop mental issues such as depression or an anxiety disorder, over a five year period.

According to researchers, exercise is a vital tool in combating postnatal depression by increasing serotonin levels and improving physical fitness. Better still, utilising a program where you can exercise with other new parents can get you out of the house, facilitate an exchange of ideas and give your social life a boost.

How much is enough?

Whilst we are all in agreement that physical exercise is good for us, how much is recommended, what type and what is the best way to proceed?  Consider the following suggestions:

  • Begin slowly, particularly if you are not used to exercising
  • Walk or jog five times a week for around 30 minutes
  • Get into a routine. Frequency is important
  • Attempt to include a few hills on your route. The intensity of your exercise can equate to its effectiveness
  • As above, make sure your pram is designed to protect baby’s fragile head from vibrations or rough roads
  • Use a distraction such as an iPod, audio book or music (but be aware of surroundings at all times)
  • Walk with a friend or partner. Prams are wonderful at putting and keeping baby asleep, so it’s a great time to catch up on some adult conversation
  • Do exercises that you enjoy as you are more likely to keep them up.

When to begin

If you have had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery, you can begin exercising as soon as you feel up to it.  However, for those who have experienced a caesarian section, extensive trauma or stitches, give yourself time to heal.  This would usually be around six weeks, but consult your healthcare provider to assess your individual situation.

As with PND, serotonin levels are linked to a number of other depressive illnesses.  Simply getting out into the sunlight can elevate these levels, taking our mood along with it.  Natural sunlight also increases our exposure to vitamin D; another contributing factor in keeping mood levels elevated.

If you are a new parent looking to feel stronger, healthier and happier, simply taking a stroll outside can be a marvellous tonic to a more relaxed and optimistic you.




Long Winter? Get A Hobby!

March 26, 2018 by

With the end of winter in sight, some folks may be weeping tears of joy. If you live up above the 49th parallel, November through March can pose a considerable challenge in terms of maintaining a positive attitude and staying productive. And while the inviting breeze of spring may not be far off, with its promise of patios, music festivals and cottage weekend, it’s a good time to reflect on how you fared this winter – if it was really hard, consider why that was and strategize for next year.

If you’re like most Canadians, then you probably default to watching Netflix and hiding under warm blankets (ideally with a romantic partner) during the cold months. While this act of hibernation can be comfortable, it can also stifle personal growth. If you want to stay active during the winter months, it’s a good idea to take up a hobby that actually gets you out of the house. This encourages interacting with other real live humans and also could spark personal growth that will have a positive effect on your life!

Winter hobby

In this post, we’ll explore four great ways to stay active in the winter months and stimulate certain skill sets and brain waves.

  1. Join a specialized gym

 While your friends may give you a hard time for joining a cross fit gym (the culture can be obsessive and all-consuming), it may be worth it – plus there’s a good chance you’ll gain some cool new friends. It’s tough to stay active during the winter months, but working out gives you a chance to move around, makes you strong and helps you feel good about yourself. Rock climbing gyms have also become very popular in recent years; if you’re into puzzle solving and hate the idea of picking up weights and putting them down over and over, rock climbing might be just the thing for you!

  1. Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning an instrument is one of the best options because it’s something that you can work on alone in your bedroom, or with friends. If you never learned an instrument growing up but feel compelled to try, music lessons at Long & McQuade are a great place to start – this way you can get crucial tips about technique and casual assignments that will motivate you to hone your chops. Whether you’ve always wanted to slap the bass, rock the keyboard like Ray Charles or pound the drums like Keith Moon, your local music store should be able to set you up. Practice at home or get a jam group together with friends – if you don’t know anyone who plays an instrument, try Meetups.com or Craigslist!

Music Lesson

  1. Take a Class

If you don’t necessarily want to focus on one thing, you can mix it up every year and learn a variety of skills and crafts outside of your house. You could do art class one year, cooking class the next. There are great alternative classes for people who want to hone their amateur writing skills, improvisational comedy groups, dancing skills (read more about it here), the list goes on and on. If you try to teach yourself something new every winter, you will soon become a very impressive human indeed!




The Attic Assessment – How to Get the Most Out of Your Storage Areas

March 21, 2018 by

Storage area

Source: http://www.designbyaikonik.com.au/storage-to-get-any-space-organised/

The average Australian home is currently spending an extra $418 a week on non-essential goods compared to 1984. All this extra spending has resulted in a dire need for storage solutions, as cluttered and cramped homes are becoming all too common. Furthermore, all this clutter results in disorganisation, which can elevate stress levels in the home.

Getting the most out of your storage areas is a great solution to these issues, and can make your home feel fresher and more organised. It may seem a daunting task, and it will take time and effort. But here are 4 ways to get the most out of your storage areas!

Storage Containers.

Invest in some containers to make organisation easier. These not only allow for things to be kept neat and tidy, but also can be used to separate items into categories. Labelling the craft supplies and halloween costumes separately means that it will be easier to find your items, and will prevent your storage spaces from being a room of confusing boxes. Find some good quality storage containers with wheels. This way, you can move and re-organise your storage spaces as you please! All in all, storage containers are a friend to the cluttered and over-filled storage space.

Be Critical.

There are a few reasons why we need to store items in our homes. The most common is that we do not use that particular item on a regular basis; this include things like photo albums, costumes or holiday decorations. Unfortunately, we also tend to store things that we do not need at all, and end up cluttering our storage areas too!

Take a critical look at the things you are keeping, and determine whether or not it is worth keeping. Donate the unneeded items, and keep your storage spaces free of unwanted clutter. This will allow for more efficient storage of the things that really matter.

Shelving.

Although storage containers are a great way to take advantage of your storage areas, shelving systems should also be utilised! While containers are usually kept in cupboards, or under a bed, shelves can hide in plain sight, and are a great way to store and display at the same time!

Invest in good quality shelving, and remember to anchor it to the wall; especially if there are young children in the house. Keep your displays simple as to avoid a cluttered mess. Another great thing about shelving, is that it can be used to add to the essence of a room rather than take away from it. Get creative, and use them to your advantage.

Be Smart.

Instead of storing large pieces of furniture, take it apart and flat pack it. When storing clothes, buy some vacuum storage bags and seal them up, and are more efficient ways of storing items. Both of these ideas allow for less space to be taken up by individual items. Another way to be smart with your storage space is to be aware of what areas you have to use. Don’t forget about the garage or the attic, as these are large areas that should be utilised. At the top of wardrobes or under beds are all storage spaces are also spaces to be aware of. This way, you will not over-crowd any one storage area, and will make sorting through areas a lot easier.

So, there you have it; four ways to get the most out of your storage areas. Try them all, or pick a few favourites to incorporate into your household. Good luck!




5 Tips to Plan a Family Vacation on a Budget

March 20, 2018 by

Family vacation

As your family grows, so does the cost of vacationing. However, with a little forethought and planning it is possible to plan a family vacation without breaking the bank.

Here are five tips to help you plan your family vacation, while still sticking to your budget.

  1. Pick your timing

Whether it’s because it’s school break or the Christmas season, everyone wants to vacation at the same time—and no one knows this better than airlines, hotels and travel companies.

If you plan your vacation during peak travel season, you can guarantee you’ll pay premium prices for your flights, accommodation, transport and activities. If you do have some flexibility in when you vacation (whether it’s because your children aren’t yet school-aged or your work needs you around during the holidays), try to do it during the down season.

It’s also worthwhile considering which days you travel on. While it’s not an exact science, most airlines will offer cheaper flights on less-popular days (usually a Tuesday or Wednesday), so make sure you check the price difference on each day of the week you plan travel to see if you can snag yourself a better price.

  1. Consider alternative accommodation options

If you’re not averse to the idea, staying with family or friends can be a very affordable alternative to staying in a hotel, as can vacationing with a group of friends or families, because you can share the cost of accommodation, food and transport.

However, if you’re not a fan of vacationing with others, try looking into home rental options like AirBNB, Tripping, FlipKey or HomeAway, as you may be able to find some more affordable (and even more suitable) accommodation options rather than staying in a hotel. You could even opt to rent out your own home while you’re away to cover some of the costs of your vacation!

  1. Hunt around for discounted family passes

Activities are often one of the largest costs when travelling with a family, but there are a couple of ways you can still visit all your favourite attractions without paying full-price.

A lot of tourism companies offer multi-attraction passes where you can get a discounted price if you pre-purchase tickets to several attractions up-front, so this could be a great way to save some cash if you know what you want to see while on vacation.

It’s also worthwhile searching for any discounted attraction tickets on coupon sites like Groupon, just make sure you check if there are any special conditions for use that you need to be aware of. It could also be worthwhile checking if any of your various memberships offer perks like discounted travel promotions, as you could be eligible for some savings you weren’t aware of.

  1. Pack plenty of snacks

Food is another cost that adds up quickly when travelling as a family. While it’s nice to eat out or get a sweet treat here and there, you can save a bucket-load by making a trip to the grocery store when you first arrive at your destination to stock up on some affordable snacks and meals so you don’t find yourself forking out a wad of cash in overpriced tourist traps. It’s also a great way to keep the kids occupied while waiting in queues!

  1. Pre-arrange your transport

Transportation is another big expense, so it’s worth doing some prior research to find out if you can get around without relying on cabs.

When choosing your accommodation, make sure you look closely at their inclusions, as a lot of hotels will provide free airport transfers with your booking which can represent a significant cost saving.

It’s also a good idea to research your public transport options, as this is usually the most affordable way to get around. Make sure you also choose accommodation where you can easily access the public transport network by foot.

If you have a large family or are travelling with others, you could also consider hiring a minibus from somewhere like this Sydney van hire company as a simple and affordable way to get around to all the attractions.




4 Studio Photography Tips Every Photographer Should Consider

March 19, 2018 by

Photography

Clicking in a studio gives you an undue advantage of directing how you want the photograph to appear. Everything is under your control- Lights, camera, hair, background! So to make complete use of this advantage in hand, you might want to try out some tips and tricks to get the best photographs

(1) Using directional Lighting

Good lighting is the only key to a great picture. There are many ways of using light for your shot and one of those ways to use light to your advantage is by using the direction of light. What directional light can do is, it seems to highlight details that overhead light cannot. While one side the light fills in areas, and on the other side it creates deep shadows and dark contours. This careful control of lighting can hide and reveal exactly what the photographer wants the viewer to see. Good window light is always beneficial in good photography. You can place you subject near a window and let the directional light from the outside fall on the subject. You can even choose to use a reflector that can bounce off a light in whichever direction you want. Experiment with the light to get the perfect blend and tone.

(2) De-focus the Subject

Sometimes the subject is part of a portrait. Try to bring out the story of the picture by focusing on some other thing related to the subject. Try focusing on the subject’s hat and have a person standing a few feet away, reaching for this hat. You could try this with a kid’s toy or a woman’s shoe. Be creative!

(3) Use a polarizer to minimize glares (reflections) on glasses. Using a polarizing filter in studio can also help reduce the glare on people’s skin. Not everyone comes to a shoot with makeup, especially men. If, like me, they have an oily skin, the light can reflect on it. The polarizer can help reduce the retouching work

(4) Always be creative, always be fresh. Always be looking for a new angle, or a new way of looking at things. A good camera is always a good tip. These days most brand make good, in fact great cameras that are available in the market for a very affordable rate. There are a great range of different equipments available in the market, all that could help you get great shots.




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