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What to Do and Not to Do When Negotiating Debt

June 6, 2019 by

Have an ugly stain in your financial past? Around 77 million people have credit reports that show a debt in collections. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the average balance is over $5,000.

debt

However, depending on the type of debt one carries, effective negotiating might be enough to help you climb out of the hole.

Here’s what you should and should not do when negotiating your debt.

Do: Understand the Difference Between Creditors and Collectors

A creditor is an entity that issued the loan. A debt collector is a third-party company hired by a creditor to recoup payment. In some cases, a debt collector may purchase debt and try to collect it on their own to earn as much of a profit as possible.

If you’re receiving phone calls about your debt, then it’s likely from a debt collector. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protects debtors from harassing collectors. The FDCPA covers mortgage, credit, medical and other types of personal debt. If you’re receiving phone calls at odd hours of the day or feel harassed by a collector, you’re legally entitled to protection.

Even if a debt is legitimate, you can still write a letter to the debt collector to stop communications. Once a collector has received your letter, they can only contact you via mail and to announce that:

  • There will be no further contact.
  • They might take action in the future.
  • They are certainly going to take action.

Do: Know the Statute of Limitations on Your Debt

One of the beautiful aspects of America is the variance across regions, cultures, and people. When it comes to legalities though, we’re victims of luck. This is especially true with the statute of limitations on debt. If your account has been delinquent for more than a few years, you might not be legally obligated to pay it back.

It all depends on the state you live in and the type of agreement you have. Oral and written agreements, promissory notes, and open-ended accounts each have different statutes of limitations. For example, open-ended accounts, like credit cards, tend to have the shortest statute of limitations, with many states’ lasting just three years. Written agreements and promissory notes (e.g., a student loan) tend to have longer statutes, with over a half-dozen states having limitations as long as ten years.

Here’s a list of every state’s statute of limitations by agreement type.

Do: Document Every Discussion and Get Agreements in Writing

Whether you’re trying to survive a debt-collection experience unscathed or researching the possibility of having legally expired debt, your effectiveness at recordkeeping will determine your success.

The burden is on a debtor to prove they’re covered by a statute of limitations. If your debt is expired, you need to have the agreement that says when the debt originated. Don’t expect the creditor to help you out here.

It’s equally imperative to keep a log of discussions with creditors and collectors. Every interaction, whether in writing, email or over the phone, needs to be documented clearly. This will help you keep a timeline of events and refute any incorrect claims made by the opposition.

DO: Investigate refinancing or if you are a senior age 62 or older consider taking out a reverse mortgage loan to settle your debt with creditors at less interest. According to ReverseMortgageReviews.org, the current interest rate on a reverse mortgage is as low as 3.5%. This is far below the average non-secured debt loan which will save you A considerable amount of interest charges.

Don’t: Agree to Pay an Amount on the Spot

If you can help it, it’s wise to never talk to a collector over the phone. Of course, this isn’t always possible. They may use tactics to catch you on the phone unexpectedly. If this does happen, ask them for all pertinent information about your debt. Debt collectors must legally provide you with their name and company, how much you owe, the details about the original creditor, and information about how to dispute the debt.

If they are legitimate, request for communication via mail going forward or write them a letter to end contact. Whatever you do, never acknowledge that you owe a debt, and most definitely never agree to pay it. Both of these things could land you in a lawsuit you’ll lose.

Don’t: Yell!

Like any job, debt collectors come in many varieties. Some will be more pleasant to deal with than others. If you find yourself in a frustrating conversation, resist the urge to react negatively. Though co-founder of Freedom Debt Relief, Andrew Housser, recalls a story of a friend settling debt through these means, it’ll often result in more harm than good.

A rotten debt collector may be difficult to deal with no matter how you behave, but should things ever proceed to court, your track record of composure will reflect favorably upon you.

Don’t: Make Unrealistic Offers to Settle Debt

The only way to be successful in negotiating debt is to a) have an outstanding balance (the older, the better), and b) make a legitimate offer to resolve the debt. Creditors and/or debt collectors want their money at the end of the day. Taking you to court means time and money on their part too.

When deciding what to offer, first choose between a repayment plan and a lump-sum offer. Either strategy could get a creditor or collector off your back, but think carefully about your offer amount. Every debt and creditor/collection situation is different, but as a general rule of thumb, aim to offer around 30 percent of your original debt amount. You can help your cause by stating that you’ll send payment immediately as long as they sign off that the debt as settled.

Dealing with outstanding debt is one of the most stressful experiences we can go through in life. If this describes your situation right now, know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Know your legal protections, communicate via mail, keep records of everything discussed, and when the time comes to try to settle, make the offer worth their while.




7 Ways Dads Can Help Moms with a Newborn

May 20, 2019 by
newborn babies

After she gives birth, the new mother needs help both physically and emotionally. The emotional side means giving her a mental break from the intensive care of the beautiful new baby. The physical side means giving her a break to do things for herself. You want to be the best Dad you can be the one. Here are some of the things to think about:

1. Exhaustion

If you are exhausted, remember mom is even more exhausted. Think about ways to help her and encourage her to get enough rest and feel loved. The stronger the mama, the better for the baby.

2. Peaceful environment

Set up an environment that is peaceful. This is a sweet, beautiful time with your family and it can also be very emotional. Keep the place neat and tidy. Fresh air, some light music, healthy food, candles at night, a kiss and a hug and a thank you to mom for making such a beautiful baby. The “little things” make a huge difference.

3. Be there for her

Anything and everything mom asks you to do, you have to do, or she would not be too happy? Take proper care regarding her diet. If possible take a vacation from work. If mom is sore, ask her if she wants a back rub or a massage. Sometimes, just by being there for her and offering to do what she needs is enough to show her that you care.

4. Learn to change diapers

Always make sure to check the diaper often and change it whenever needed. Go ahead and use as many wipes as you need. The goal is to keep your kid clean, so do what it takes to get it done. You should also take great care while bathing your baby.

5. Spend enough time with your baby

Bring the baby to mom, don’t let her get up. If bottle feeding, then feed the baby. Don’t assume all the feedings have to fall on mom, and she would love it if you would take on some of the feedings. This is especially true at night. It is a great idea to come up with a schedule that works for both mom and dad about who gets up with the baby and when. This means that both can get enough amount of sleep.

6. Help mom with laundry and shopping

It might feel quite overwhelming but remember how she manages all such things. Do the necessary shopping required for the mom and the baby. Also, cook her fresh and healthy meals. Make sure she is eating three wholesome meals a day that is full of proteins and nutrients, not much sugary and fatty foods. Give her green leafy vegetables, fruits and plenty of water.

7. Show appreciation

Let her know that she is doing an amazing job. Point out where you think she is doing great. Tell her that you are proud of her and how much you love her. Encourage her to go out of the house once in a while, and connect with other moms. Do ask her time tot time if she needs something. At such times, all of her attention is going to be on the baby, so someone needs to look after her needs.




5 Fun Activities to do With Your Family This Weekend

May 6, 2019 by

Sharing quality time as a family gives you a chance to become a loving family with strong bonds and also share experiences. These experiences make great memories that stay with us all our lives. With busy schedules, it can be difficult to spend time every day with your family, but weekends should be reserved for quality family time.

Parenting

You have to find opportunities to spend as much quality time together as possible. A strong family isn’t formed by just being born in the same family, the bond is made stronger by experiencing things together, watching each other grow, and spending time together per se.

1. Home Video Night

I have always loved watching “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” How do you think those videos came into existence? It is a fun idea to film ourselves and our kids to watch when we grow older. Kids love watching themselves when they were younger and also listening to funny/ embarrassing stories about themselves. Your wedding videos and photos also are a fun thing for them. Don’t forget the vacation videos and pictures, they are the most fun.

2. Have a Fun Competition

Having fun, creative contests like a scavenger quest with the kids is a great way to bond and develop sportsmanship in them. Have competitions for a game they love or even some art competition: cricket, carrom, cheese, any game.  You can also introduce them to new games this way. It is a fun way to learn. You can also keep rewards for the kids so that they feel more excited.

3. A day out

You can go to the beach, museum, fairs, theme parks, the world is your oyster. These trips help create memories, help learn new things if you visit places like science fairs, art galleries, and museums. Playing at the beach is fun, you can make sand castles, play in the water, collect shells. Those shells can then be used to make jewelry. Visiting new places can give rise to new hobbies as well.You can also play darts. When you choose Best darts, the time will pass quickly and with pleasure. This is essential for a good holiday.

4. Barbecue Night

Speaking of outdoor activities, barbecue parties are the best way to bond. You can invite your neighbors, friends, and family. Everyone can have one task to do. Kids love working with the adults and being given responsibilities, especially during parties and such. Cooking and eating together is one of the most fun and meaningful activity I know, and you also get to eat delicious food. It’s a win-win.

5. Camping

Camping is one of the interesting memory-making activities. Camping helps kid learn so much. They learn to enjoy nature, which is very important. Teach them how to build a campfire, then you can roast marshmallows and tell stories huddled up around the campfire. Help them identify the insects and animals from the noises. You can also identify and catalog the plants.

Spending time with the family doesn’t always have to cost money. Think of activities that interest everyone and try incorporating it. Teach your kids things that could be done at home. Even if you are too tired to go out, you will still spend a fun time at home with your family, by playing board games, watching movies, cooking at home. The idea here is to spend time together doing something that helps us grow together, bond, and create fond memories.




Traditional Lice Treatments are Toxic to Children

April 5, 2019 by
Child hair

The temperatures are warming and summer camps are fast approaching for your children. Do you know what else is approaching? Head lice. As we head into warmer weather, the creepy, little blood-suckers love to latch on to any scalp they can reach.

It pays to be prepared and know what to do if your child becomes infested with head lice. It can happen any time children are in close contact with one another and it has nothing to do with cleanliness or the state of your home. In fact, lice prefer clean scalps!

Choosing a treatment can be a difficult choice. There are several different lice treatments on the market, from prescription drugs to over-the-counter chemical treatments. You can also find several chemical-free remedies as most of us would like to limit exposure to nasty chemicals, and for good reason!

Lice treatments can be toxic

Let’s start by looking at the types of treatments that are usually found in a pharmacy or prescribed by a doctor. Common treatments include:

  • Pyrethrin – These pesticides are derived from chrysanthemums and kill lice, but not the nits (eggs).
  • Permethrin – This is a synthetic version of pyrethrin.
  • Malathion – Kills lice and some of their eggs.
  • Benzyl alcohol – A lotion that suffocates lice, but not the nits.

The problem with ALL of these treatments is that they’re not without risk to your child. The primary risks are:

  1. Rashes
  2. Migraines
  3. Respiratory Issues
  4. Seizures

Let’s explore this more closely. If we dig into FDA reports on adverse events and other studies done on the key chemical ingredients found in common lice treatments, we can find a host of negative impacts. Pyrethroids have been known to cause reactions from rashes, to migraines, to respiratory issues, while there are also questions about their impact on reproductive health.

Additionally, pyrethrins and pyrethroids are known to disrupt the central nervous system, causing anything from seizures to loss of consciousness, particularly at higher exposures. Lindane lotion, a prescription-based treatment has been linked with seizures and death in some extreme cases.

The bottom line is that, at best, your child may suffer no ill effects at all. At worst, these treatments can be quite toxic. Is it worth the risk?

Lice treatments can be ineffective

Another critical risk with these common, chemical-based treatments is that they often don’t work. Treatment-resistant super lice have become a prevalent problem in most states. In fact, around 99.6% of lice have developed a resistance to pesticide treatments.

This is where the risk of toxicity can go together with super lice. Over-exposure to pesticide treatments is a key cause of adverse reactions. So, you try a chemical treatment on your child and find it hasn’t worked. What do most people do? Try again. Children can end up over-exposed to the treatment and fighting off the ill effects.

When dealing with super lice, you’re unlikely to get anywhere with some of these more traditional over-the-counter treatments. In fact, we’d suggest that if your child is going to summer camp this year, don’t let the camp use potentially toxic treatments on him or her. Fortunately, there are effective alternatives you can pack in your child’s bag, just in case.

Non-toxic lice treatments

If you were to Google natural lice treatments, you’ll find a range of suggestions. Some of these will not be effective, so be careful about what you choose. Mayonnaise in the hair? That will just make your child smell like a ham sandwich.

Mayonnaise and other hair-coating treatments (such as coconut oil) can help to suffocate lice, however they have no impact on the nits (lice eggs) laid by the lice. This means that in 7 – 9 days, when those eggs hatch, your child will be itching again.

One of the most effective treatments is combing. While painstaking, when done properly, combing removes everything, including those pesky nits. In fact, combing has been reported to be the safest method for removing lice. Researchers suggest using a fine-toothed lice comb in conjunction with a lubricant to comb out the lice and eggs. You could also use it with a Lice and Egg shampoo, to easily break the bonds the nits and lice form with hair and scalp.

If you want your combing efforts to be easier and even more effective, then an electric lice comb such as RobiComb can provide the answer. This works by safely zapping and killing the lice on contact so that the comb easily removes them. There’s no need to lubricate hair to use it – the combs work best on dry hair making them one of the most convenient and least messy lice removal options.

Head lice prevention

If there are head lice around and you want to prevent an infestation, or, if you want to prevent a recurrence once lice are gone, look at preventative measures.

For starters, anything that has been in contact with lice-infested heads should be carefully laundered or quarantined for several days, until you’re sure lice will be dead. Head lice need a scalp to survive and will die within three days of isolation.

Secondly, keep long hair tied up to reduce risk of exposure. Lice don’t jump around, but little heads playing close together form an easy bridge. Tying hair back helps immensely.

Lastly, try using a non-toxic lice repellent spray. This is handy to keep at home or to pack into the summer camp bag for a daily spritz. With a plan for treatment and prevention, you can keep lice at bay without exposing your children to toxic chemicals!




5 Signs that You Love Your City

April 1, 2019 by

There are some people who grumble about their city – the traffic, the weather, the cost of living – but there are others who absolutely love their city and aren’t afraid to show it. Are you one of them? Here are five signs that show you love your city and are not afraid of letting the world know it.

There are some people who grumble about their city – the traffic, the weather, the cost of living – but there are others who absolutely love their city and aren’t afraid to show it. Are you one of them? Here are five signs that show you love your city and are not afraid of letting the world know it.

1. You Know Where all The Best Restaurants Are

Perhaps one of the most important signs that you love your city is that you know where all the best restaurants are. Finding the top dining spots in your local area has become a bit of a trend, as evidenced by Google’s Local Guide initiative.

But someone who truly loves their city will know even the tiniest, most out of the way restaurants for a good meal and/or a great deal. They can easily list for you where to get the best sushi, tacos, Thai food, or hamburgers. Don’t even try to argue with them because they’ve done the research and aren’t afraid to educate you!

2. You Got Yourself Some City Swag

You show your city some love with custom t shirts and other clothing that has unique prints on them that represent your city. T shirt designs are a great way to show off your interests, and people who love their city wear some amazing streetwear to show off their pride.

City swag

City-inspired custom t shirt designs aren’t only for tourists. Whether it’s a baseball cap, t shirt, hoodie, pullover, or tote bag, there is a ton of swag to choose from when showing off your roots. Someone might even design their own shirt if they’re really looking for a unique way to express their city pride.

3. You Tag All Your Instagram Posts with Your City’s Name

Did you snap a photo of yourself walking your dog on a nice day in the city? Time to post that onto Instagram and tag your city’s name in the process. It’s a great way to show off that you love your city and also find like-minded people who are interested in seeing locally taken photos.

4. You Know the Best Places to Shop

Finding the best places to eat isn’t the only sign of someone who loves their city – they’ll also know all the best places to shop. Whether it’s about finding the right product, knowing where the best deals are, or even just knowing which shopping areas are the most fun, this person will be able to fill you in.

5. You’re Active in Your City’s Community

Most importantly, the best way to show you love your city is by being involved in it. Whether you’re often out and about and enjoying the various events going on in your city, or are directly involved in social or community-building efforts, someone who loves their city will know what’s up.

So how about it – are you in love with your city? Did you check any boxes on this list? If so, give yourself a pat on the back for taking pride in where you live!




5 Reasons to Read Your Horoscope Daily

April 1, 2019 by
horoscope

Everyone has a horoscope or Zodiac sign based on the position of the sun at the time of the year they were born. However, not everyone knows what it is or believes in it. Horoscopes used to be printed in the daily newspaper, and while many newspapers still honor this practice, few individuals read the paper anymore. It’s much easier to find your horoscope online where astrologists update it daily.

Many people think of a horoscope as a vision of their future. In reality, a horoscope is all about helping you become one with yourself as you pave a self-directed path to earning your full potential. No matter what you think about reading your daily horoscope, here are some major benefits of doing so:

1. Get to Know Yourself Better

Horoscopes are loaded with insights about your personality, goals, and identity. You typically exhibit several unique traits according to your specific horoscope. For example, Aries are natural-born leaders who are highly organized and love to be in control. You can research your specific sign and the associated traits to learn your predicted traits.

Although each Zodiac sign has personality traits in common, you might not identify with every trait on the list. That’s perfectly normal, as each individual has different life experiences that have shaped them.

However, you’ll likely identify with many of the traits you read about. As you peruse the list, take a few moments to self-reflect. Identify these traits within yourself so that you can get to know yourself better. As you embrace your personality and identify your strengths, you’ll become more self-accepting and confident in who you are.

2. Maintain a Positive Attitude

Along with your newfound confidence, your daily horoscope can promote a constant positive attitude. It’s hard to stay positive when you don’t have a direction for your life to take, but your horoscope helps lay that out for you.

You’ll be able to identify an attitude of embracing the day and delighting in the little things. You might savor your relationship a little more or feel more positive about a challenge at work. This optimism will translate into greater satisfaction and success throughout your everyday life. 

3. Set Goals

You might be wondering what you want to do for a living or how you can live up to your full potential. Your horoscope is not a fortune-teller, but it does provide much-needed insights into your personality and abilities so that you can set clearer goals for your future.

For example, a Libra’s horoscope might advise a man to tend to his own needs instead of always addressing those of his partner. Using this advice, he can set goals for himself to be a little more in tune with his own needs, therefore creating a more harmonious relationship with his partner.

4. Identify Weaknesses

Nobody likes to be told that they’re doing something wrong, but it’s hard to improve if you don’t recognize your weaknesses. Rather than waiting for someone else to point out the error of your ways, you can use your horoscope to identify your faults and then set goals to improve them.

Sometimes, it can be disheartening to identify your own weaknesses each day. Don’t be hard on yourself during this process. Remember that everyone will discover their unique failings as they read their horoscopes each day. It’s not about learning that you have faults, but rather looking at ways to improve them.

Set realistic, kind goals for yourself. Don’t berate yourself when you succumb to weakness. Learn from that experience and try again the next day. Thus, your daily horoscope can help you can strive to be a better person each day.

5. Gain Confidence in Strengths

Working on your flaws will lead to greater strength of character, but it’s not something you need to face every day. There will be many days when you read your horoscope and gain much-needed confidence in your abundant strength.

An Aquarius might rejoice in her ability to empathize with others and exhibit compassion in difficult situations. A Taurus might feel satisfaction in his reliable nature, and a Leo might be proud of his ability to entertain.

No matter what your Zodiac sign is, you can gain amazing strength and power from reading your horoscope daily. It will only bring about good as you get to know yourself better, embrace your inner strengths, and set goals for reaching your full potential.




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

March 8, 2019 by
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

March 6, 2019 by
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.




Do Smartphones Hurt your Productivity?

March 4, 2019 by
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

March 1, 2019 by
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.




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