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Give Children Choices in Small Tasks to Teach Them How to Be Responsible

January 20, 2020 by

One of the things that we often do not do is give our children a choice. We tell them what to do and we expect them to follow it. Knowing that they have a choice makes the kids feel empowered. Yes, it is necessary to be persuasive sometimes, but it is more important to be influential.

They shouldn’t have to do things because you told them to, they will do the same things on their own by watching you. It doesn’t have to be in big things. Small things make more impact than you realize.

woman reading

Learning to choose from the given options from early on prepares them to make difficult choices when they grow up. Use it as a teaching moment. When you give them a few choices for something, teach them how to weigh all the options they have and to choose the best for themselves.

This helps them be analytical about the situation and the options. It also teaches them that their choices have consequences. These things are important and a huge part of life when we grow up. This also helps them turn into responsible adults because they have been taught to be responsible for their own choices since childhood.

As important it is to teach your kids basic life skills, it is more important to teach them mental and emotional maturity. Skills can be learned quicker than something that becomes a part of our personalities. It is important to inculcate positive habits in children early on so that it becomes a part of them and their lives.

Involve choice-making in the activities that you do as a family. 

  • Let them pick an activity that you will be doing. Ask them to take into consideration what everyone likes. If they choose something physical, ask them to consider if all the members are up for it. Teach them how important it is to be considerate of everyone when planning a group activity.
  • Let them pick the bedtime story. This will show you what kind of stories do your kids enjoy the most and what lessons can be learned from it. This often helps you understand where their interests lie.
  • Ask them to pick a dish for breakfast. Teach them to consider the day ahead when doing so. If you guys are going to be spending a day out, then you might need something heavy. If you guys are planning on going for brunch with some friends, then something light might do.

These are just examples of small things that might not matter to you much if you give kids options, but will help in giving the kids a sense of empowerment and a feeling of having a voice. They matter and their opinions matter is something that we need to make them feel from early on. That comes from having the freedom to choose. Use it to teach your kids valuable life lessons. It will help them become better human beings and also teach them how to be a responsible adult.




5 Ways to Help You Decide Where to Move After College

January 15, 2020 by

Graduation from college often becomes a turning point in many young people’s lives. This step closes a large chapter of your life and gradually moves you to the next one – adulthood.

You are fully responsible for your life from now on. And one of the biggest questions facing you at this transitioning point is where to move after college.

In the case you decided to continue your studies due to experts from EzAssignmentHelp.com you can boost your writing performance.

college expense

Making this decision is a responsible and often difficult part. Though it may not seem like a big deal, the choices you make after graduation will predetermine your future. That is why it is important to make them responsibly.

In this article, we have prepared a list of tips and steps for college students that will help you make the right choices and shape your life after graduation.

Although studying in college must have been not a piece of cake, probably the biggest issue you can face as a student was how to cope with all your assignments. Luckily, for such cases, there are plenty of tools and services like EssayPro.com that can help you survive through a hefty academic load. However, when you are just about to graduate, you will likely face a whole bunch of challenges and dilemmas.

Making your way to adult life, you will have to make dozens of life-changing decisions, including what career to pursue and where to move after college. 

In many cases, your future success will depend greatly on your environment, so choose wisely! Meanwhile, we’ve prepared this comprehensive list of tips to set you on the right track.

Way 1: Research!

If you are wondering where to move after college, the first thing you should keep in mind is that such decisions are not made by themselves.

To make the right choice, you should do lots of research. First of all, evaluate different options in terms of general criteria such as:

  • Population;
  • Unemployment rate;
  • Cost of living;
  • Safety;
  • Convenience, etc.

Although many young people tend to skip this step, knowing as much as possible about your destination in advance can give you lots of benefits.

Way 2: Get in Touch With Your Friends

Starting living your own independent life right after graduation can be very exciting. However, let’s face the truth – it is hard to start living alone when you still have no sense of how it feels like. Due to this reason, many graduates choose to move together with their friends.

There are a few reasons to team up with your pals and move to another city together. 

First of all, this way, neither of you will feel alone, so the risks of feeling depressed or homesick will be much lower. Secondly, you shouldn’t forget about the basic expenses such as rent that can be pretty hard to afford while you are not completely settled. 

In this case, sharing these expenses with friends can really help you.

Way 3: Consider Moving Abroad

Post-college is a great time to travel and discover the world. And, for some graduates, trying to live abroad can be a great option.

There are several ways to move to a foreign country after graduation. Some of the options you can consider are volunteering, job, or even further studying.

Way 4: Visit Your Main Destination Options

If you already have a list of ideas on where you’d like to live after graduation, a good way to finally make a decision is to visit those destinations. Sometimes, people just need an extra push to define what they need to do next. 

In your case, this push can be visiting different places and trying to live in each for a short period of time.

Paying a short visit to your key destination options will help you to understand which place you like the most.

Way 5: Find a Job

Probably the easiest way to make a choice is to get a job. Moving to a place where you already have a full-time job is much easier. 

Therefore, starting your job search in advance can really help you make up your mind! For example, if you are going to med school, figure out where you want to spend your time after you finish MCAT prep and pass that test. 

location

The Bottom Line

Many students find the time of their graduation quite stressful due to a large number of questions and options that will influence their future. 

Indeed, it can be hard to decide where to move after college, especially when you have just graduated and have no idea what to do next. However, if you found yourself in such a situation, don’t worry. You are not alone!

Making such tough decisions is an inevitable part of adulthood. Although deciding can be hard, it is also very exciting! Hopefully, the tips given above will help you figure out in which direction to move after you leave college. Good luck!




8 Things Every Mom Should Know About CBD

January 2, 2020 by

Imagine sitting with other moms at a playgroup or business lunch, and someone mentions that they give their kid CBD before bed to help him sleep at night and uses the best CBD cream (from Penguin CBD) to take care of bags under her eyes. If you’re unfamiliar with the product and have only heard widely circulated misconceptions about it, you’re probably reeling at the thought of it. How could any mom give her child marijuana??

cbd

The good news is, CBD is not marijuana, and it can actually be safe for children. Of course, you should do your research thoroughly before giving your child CBD to make sure it’s safe and recommended. Here are 8 things you need to know. 

1. CBD comes from the hemp plant, which is low in THC. 

Unlike certain myths, CBD does not come from the cannabis plant, which is high in THC and contains psychoactive properties. Instead, it’s derived from hemp, a low-THC, high-CBD plant with loads of medicinal benefits. 

CBD is extracted from hemp using CO2 extraction, a process that removes the THC from the product while keeping all the CBD. In isolate CBD strains, CBD is the only substance present. In broad-spectrum CBD, there are cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and other nutrients present, but no THC. 

Full-spectrum CBD contains all the goodies of CBD plus up to 0.3 percent THC content. This is the legal limit, and it isn’t enough to get your child high. However, many moms prefer broad-spectrum CBD to get the benefits of the medicine without any THC present. 

2. CBD is commonly used to treat a severe epileptic condition in children. 

To understand the effects of CBD on children, research its use on children suffering from severe epileptic conditions and Dravet syndromes. In some cases, CBD-based drugs reduced the number of seizures a child had from 300 to 0 in a week. This stunning research led to the first FDA-approved CBD-based drug, Epidiolex.

Since Dravet syndromes most commonly occur in children, we know that this CBD-based drug was safe for their use. Researching the matter further may give you all the answers you need to know about CBD’s effect on children.  

3. CBD is sold legally online throughout the U.S. 

If you want the best CBD oil online or sold in a dispensary, you’ll have to purchase and use it in states where cannabis products are legal. However, you can purchase CBD online and have it delivered to you in any state under new legislation. 

Always be wary when buying CBD online. There are dozens of high-quality CBD sellers that use only quality products, but others care more about turning a profit than the safety of its consumers. Read third-party lab testing for any online CBD retailer to ensure the products are as advertised. If there are no lab tests present, look elsewhere. 

4. CBD can help you relax and be a better parent. 

Stress as a parent is nothing new, but sometimes it can be drastically overwhelming. As much as you try to focus on self-care, you might end up taking it out on your kids with impatience and shouting. Incorporating solutions like CBD cream into your routine can also help alleviate tension and soothe physical discomfort, providing you with a sense of calm.

Let yourself relax with CBD. Many parents are discovering the peaceful serenity of CBD gummies, capsules, oil drops, creams, and more. It interacts with your body’s hormone regulatory structure, the endocannabinoid system. With an increased number of cannabinoids in your body, it can regulate these hormones that might otherwise cause you to lash out or face burnout. 

5. There’s minimal research on CBD. 

It’s important to know what you’re getting into, and although there’s no sign that CBD is bad for you, there’s not much clinical proof that it does all the things people claim it does. However, there has been promising research in rodents and a few human clinical trials to show its effects in specific areas. 

Most notably, there’s a large community that has shared resounding stories of CBD’s effectiveness. They claim that it can help with anxiety, sleeplessness, stress, depression, pain, skin conditions, and so much more. 

Thankfully, the U.S. government has taken notice of the many people proclaiming the goodness of CBD, and the FDA has issued $3 million worth of grants to further research on CBD. It’s not much, but it’s a great start to help parents and concerned citizens understand the benefits and effectiveness of CBD. 

6. Be cautious when pregnant or breastfeeding.

Although many moms aren’t concerned about trying CBD out on themselves or their children, most are wary of trying it when pregnant or breastfeeding. The risks are unknown regarding CBD use for a growing fetus, and you won’t be able to see any potential damages until it’s too late. 

Unless specifically instructed by a doctor, it’s probably best if you stay away from ingesting CBD products while pregnant or breastfeeding. You might try creams applied away from the stomach and groin area if needed for pain or skin conditions, but that’s the extent of what’s believed to be safe. 

7. CBD is pricey. 

If you get hooked on CBD (metaphorically speaking, since it’s non-addictive), understand what you’re getting into. CBD costs an average of $50 for a 30-day supply of oil. Some are more expensive, and some are less.

Be wary of very affordable CBD products. Chances are, the hemp was grown inorganically and may contain pesticides and other toxins you don’t want to consume. Additionally, it could be mislabeled as a “snake oil” product that contains ingredients other than what’s advertised.  

8. Never administer CBD to a child without consulting a doctor. 

CBD is sold without a prescription, but that doesn’t mean you should use it without speaking to a doctor, particularly for your child. Dosing is based on weight, and you don’t want to give your child too much; otherwise, they might experience severe side effects like headaches, vomiting, dry mouth, and dizziness. 

However, when dosed properly, CBD can be a major asset to children in need of its healing and calming properties. Under the direction of a doctor, you could help your child gain the peace and comfort they need while enjoying the effects yourself.




Boston University Graduates that own Companies Everyone has heard of

December 28, 2019 by

Boston University is a very prestigious educational institution. What is more, the competition is high which is the reason why writing an impressive Boston University admissions essay is not an easy task to complete. Yet, most of its graduates typically become very successful and achieve all their goals. Therefore, all those frustrating years of dealing with all kinds of Boston University essay will finally pay off. 

college expense

If you are currently working on your Boston University supplement essay or are searching for an interesting subject to dwell upon in your why BU essay, focusing on all those graduates who have managed to achieve huge career success is a topic the Boston University admissions office will definitely pay special attention to. So, here are a few graduates who have started their own business or have founded their own companies which you can dwell upon in your Boston University essay. 

The first person to mention is Margaret Wallace who graduated from Boston University in 1989. In 2001, she co-founded Skunk Studios, and in 2007 she already managed to found Rebel Monkey which is an entertaining company that became popular because of the game CampFu that got launched there. Since then, she is considered to be one of the most influential women in the gaming industry. If you are looking for a very successful woman to dwell upon in your Boston University undergraduate admissions essay, Margaret Wallace is definitely the person to choose. Perhaps, she is one of your role models as well as the reason why you have decided to enter this educational institution. If that is the case, feel free to mention this fact in your why BU essay. 

Another prominent figure to mention in your Boston University essay is Patriсk Spain who has had a rather extraordinary career. He majored in law and graduated in 1979. The first company he launched was called Hoovers. It was focused on business research. Later, he sold this company and founded an advertising-based online news site. As you can see, he started working in a field that is very different from the area he majored in. This aspect is of key importance to anyone who wants to start their own business but is afraid to do so: no matter whether you have majored in nursing or writing poetry, this should not stop you from following your dreams, especially when you feel like you can actually do it. You will quickly learn and develop new skills as soon as you join the business world. Furthermore, you will have to acquire tons of new knowledge one way or another. 

Mickey Drexler is another Boston University graduate who has had a successful career in tons of big companies, such as Apple, Bloomingdales and Gap Inc. Having acquired all necessary experience, he went on to start his own company called Drexler Ventures that is aimed at providing funding to new startups, as well as offering advisory services. Apart from that, the man is also a chairman in a company called Outdoor Voices which a brand of activewear. 

Another person to mention in regards to successful Boston University graduates is Bruce Karatz. He is both a businessman and philanthropist who is mainly interested in the field of property. Bruce Karatz has been the CEO of a homebuilding company called KB Home for a very long time until he founded a real estate company Nafilyan & Partners with a group of other successful businessmen and investors. 

What it all boils down to is that studying at Boston University will be a great start for your successful career. You will acquire all necessary knowledge and experience, as well as graduate having all important contacts and having met all these incredible people who you may someday work with or even start a company together. Studying at college is not merely about acquiring knowledge. It is also about networking. Some business owners even highlight the fact that college networking is one of the first steps you need to take if you want to build a successful career in the field you are interested in. All in all, studying at Boston University will definitely be an advantageous experience for you. The acceptance rate is high. Yet, you will get both useful knowledge and meet a lot of people who may soon become your business partners if you choose to apply to Boston University. 




Is Damp Causing Health Issues For Your Children This Winter?

December 10, 2019 by

Damp is the silent cause of numerous health issues, especially for the children. Dampness usually occurs in homes lacking inappropriate heating, ventilation and insulation. Damp related problems usually surface in the winter due to the extreme cold weather. 

Damp develops over time if left unnoticed it will develop into a costly issue to resolve with severe impact on health. In this article, we shall explore how to recognise signs of damp, the effect of damp on our health and how to protect our homes against damp.

mould

Recognising Signs of Damp in Your Home

It is always best to check for damp in your home from time to time as damp is an issue which develops gradually, its signs becoming visible over time. The following signs are a giveaway, indicating whether your home suffers from damp:

  • a damp musty smell
  • dark or discoloured patches appearing on walls and plaster
  • walls, floors and ceilings feeling cold and damp
  • bubbled or peeling plaster
  • appearance of mould on walls, ceiling or floors
  • Peeling floor tiles
  • Excessive condensation on walls and windows

It is best to regularly check the walls, floor and ceiling for signs of damp. If you are worried, it is always best to call on the expertise of surveyors who will check for signs of damp inside and outside your home. They will assess the type of damp and the cause and offer advice on how to resolve the issue.

How to Deal with Damp

An easy way to minimize or prevent indoor mould is to keep your home adequately heated especially in the winter. With the rising fuel costs it is particularly important that you ensure your home is properly insulated, this will reduce air humidity levels and condensation keeping damp at bay. Furnace can be one of the solutions that can help with this problem, also this furnace buying guide might help you make an informed decision while choosing the right furnace for your home. In this article, we shall explore how to recognize signs of damp, the effect of damp on our health and how to protect our homes against damp. Another easy way of protecting your home from damp is to install adequate ventilation in wet areas such as bathrooms and wet rooms, as well as the kitchen and laundry room. This will ensure the circulation of air, reducing humidity levels. It is also very important to check for any external water leaks from drain pipes. Any damage to the external surfaces of the house such as a hole in the roof, the walls, windows, skylights can provide access for the seepage of water, giving rise to damp related issues. The external surfaces of your house should be damp-proof. If damp has taken hold in your home, you may see dark patches of mould on hard surfaces, it is best to remove this mould by using a sugar soap solution; if the patches persist then using bleach will help. This is not a long term solution; you must identify the cause of the damp and deal with it to prevent the issue from growing. You may need to replace, curtains, carpets or furniture which are made from absorbent materials as these are more likely to retain mould spores. In severe cases, you must call on the expert commercial damp proofing and remediation services to make your property damp, safe creating a safe environment for you and your family. It is vital that we protect our homes from damp; it is not only harmful to our homes but also our health. Checking our home regularly for damp can ensure a safe environment for everyone and also prevent costly remediation work..

Damp Related Health Issues

According to the NHS, damp issues in the home increase the likelihood of respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies and asthma. They also warn that damp and mould adversely affects the immune system.

Moulds can produce allergens, irritants and toxic substances. Inhaling damp mould fragment or spores inflames the sinus air passages causing nasal congestion, wheezing and coughing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure to damp could result in chronic health issues such as asthma and other respiratory infections.

NHS has warned that some people are more sensitive than others and should keep away from damp and mould:

  • babies and children
  • the elderly
  • people already suffering from respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma
  • people already suffering from skin problems, such as eczema and dermatitis
  • people undergoing chemotherapy, with an already weakened immune system

Many children suffer from coughs and colds during the winter months but these could be exacerbated by the presence of damp in the home. If children are continually exposed to damp conditions and mould, these common coughs and colds have the potential to develop into more chronic issues.

Mould has the potential to affect everyone’s health; it exacerbates already existing health issues but can cause healthy people to become ill. 




What Your Teenager Should Know About Instagram

December 5, 2019 by

As a parent, you want to protect your children. As they approach their adolescent years, however, your kids yearn for their independence. We know we have to let them learn some of life’s tough lessons on their own, and all we can do is be there to support them. That can be particularly difficult in today’s digital age. There are many more ways bullies and people will ill-intent can reach kids these days. 

Instagram Bio

Social media sites are popular with teens. They serve as a way to communicate with friends, show off their creativity and meet like-minded people from around the world. Unfortunately, these sites can open your kids up to danger if they don’t know how to properly navigate them. Instagram has become one of the fastest growing platforms for teens. That’s why these tips for what you teenager should know about Instagram are particularly timely. Take a look.

1. Set Your Account to Private

Your teens should know that when they post on Instagram, their images and photos can potentially be seen by every person who uses the service. 

Currently, that’s around one billion per month. Your teen may be eager to gain followers quickly and find it exciting to connect with new people. That’s great. However, it also can lead to unwanted and potentially dangerous attention. People can follow your teenager based on an interest in their look or because they believe your kid may be vulnerable for some reason. 

You can buy Instagram likes from ViralRace and other such sites. Most folks do this with the good intention of boosting their likes or follower count and using their account in positive ways. You don’t want your child’s photos to reach anyone whose intentions aren’t so good. Advise them to set their account to private, as this restricts viewing strictly to their own followers. 

2. Don’t Share Your Location

Geotagging is a popular way to share the fun things you’re doing and to find others who have a geographic location in common with you. Unfortunately, they also give your specific location to people may not wish to have it or those who are interested in doing you harm. 

Geotags can be broad, as in identifying the city or state you’re in. They can also provide very specific location information down to the very building you’ve entered. It may seem the odds are against anything bad happening to you, but the possibility does exist. 

3. Likes Don’t Equal Worth

Adolescence is a time of growth and discovery. It can also be a period of poor self-esteem issues. Teens gain their sense of self and meaning from their peers in a lot of ways. Therefore, the likes and positive comments they receive on sites like Instagram can seem like concrete reminders of their worth. They enjoy the approval of their peers, so they strive to get more followers and likes. They can be quite devastated when those likes fail to be received. Remind your team that likes don’t equal worth and that their view of themselves is what matters most of all. 

4. You’re in Charge of the Followers You Keep

An important lesson, teenagers need to learn about social media is that they are absolutely in charge of their own accounts. They get to choose which people to follow and which ones they keep around. They can decide to delete comments and to report inappropriate behaviors. 

Encourage your child to maintain the online connections that bring them joy and lift them up, but to delete any that continually cause them anxiety or stress. Having a sense of autonomy over one’s social media experience is liberating and can increase confidence. 

5. Avoid Adding Contact Information to Your Bio

Many internet savvy teens already know this rule and may find it obvious. But many may not or might think it doesn’t apply to them. A reminder can’t hurt because it’s so important that your teenager understands they should never share their personal information online. Using their full name or any part of it in their Instagram username can make it easy for anyone to find them. 

This is especially true if they share information in their posts about their school or hometown. Remind them to be careful of identifying information in photos such as signs or building markers. Even sharing other places, they can be found online such as Facebook or KIK can be problematic. 

When people can find your teen on other platforms, they can use that information against them and play upon their weaknesses. This isn’t meant to scare you, but teens should be made aware that their are manipulative people who are skilled at getting what they want. 

6. Encourage Communication

Perhaps most importantly, encourage your child to communicate with you. Let them know you’re always there to listen to their concerns, that they can come to you when they don’t know what to do. Teenagers may not have the life experience or developmental maturity to handle certain situations. Having a supportive adult to help them navigate complex issues can make things seem less scary and help them to make better decisions. 

Remind them that they should talk about problems like cyberbullying, harassment or other inappropriate with someone, even if it’s not you. It could be a teacher, guidance counselor or friend’s parent. Sharing with trusted adults can help keep them safe. 

Keep these tips in mind and maintain an open dialogue with your teen. Know that you understand what your teenager should know about Instagram, you can feel better about their overall online social networking experiences. Talking about things and understanding the basics is important.




Families and Addiction: Coping During the Holidays

November 29, 2019 by

Holidays can be a joyous, celebratory time. However, for some, holidays are one of the most difficult times of the year. While the addiction epidemic rages on, there are many families that must cope with an addicted loved one during the holidays.

On top of the usual holiday frenzy and stress, dealing with an addicted family member can be chaotic. It can leave healthy family members feeling frustrated and disappointed. 

If you have a family member who is suffering from addiction, it could mean spending the holiday without him or her. On the other hand, it could mean spending your holiday trying to protect and help your loved one.

Often times, the challenges that come from substance abuse come to a head during the holidays. Despite how hard it may be, there are some steps you can take to bring yourself peace of mind during the season. 

Maintain Realistic Expectations

While you may be hoping for a sober holiday or Christmas miracle, it is important to maintain realistic expectations. Having realistic expectations is important to everyone’s wellness, especially during the holiday season.

After all, addiction is a chronic disease, and people who are in the grips of it will use compulsively. Usually, no amount of consequences will keep them sober. 

Having the whole family around may seem like an opportunity to confront your loved one’s addiction. However, planning an intervention during the holidays may be a bad idea.

Effective interventions require professional consulting and extensive planning. In addition, the holidays are a vulnerable time to attempt to tackle such a serious subject. 

Holding onto expectations that a family member should want to get sober or stay sober for the holidays can be harmful to your wellbeing. The inability of a family member to do so can create high levels of stress, frustration, and even resentment.

As a result, these feelings can take away from the joy of the holiday season. If your expectations are high, it can set you up for disaster.

Instead, you should try to love your addicted loved one right where they are. You can offer your support and be prepared with recovery resources in the event that they ask for help, but keep your mindset realistic. 

Develop New Holiday Traditions

Another way to deal with a loved one’s addiction during the holidays is to create new holiday traditions. If there have been sources of drama or conflict during past holiday get-together, new traditions can help you and your family avoid these triggers.

If your regular holiday traditions consist of spending time at home eating a big meal, playing games, and watching holiday movies, this year could be a time to change things up. Instead of spending idle time in the home, you can book your holiday full of new, exciting activities.

Stay busy to avoid triggers and conflict by viewing a light display, eating at a restaurant, spending time at a local park, going ice skating, or going to a religious service. Find out what local holiday events are happening near you to create a busy, fun-filled day. 

Spending time outside of the regular holiday environment can be a refreshing change. It can also provide the entire family with a chance to break away from past behaviors and avoid emotional triggers that can stir up conflict. 

Set Healthy Boundaries

Enforcing healthy boundaries with an addicted family member is critical year-round, however, it is more important than ever during the holidays. Remember that it is okay to say no and that it isn’t your responsibility to tolerate or fix your loved one’s behaviors.

If their behaviors go against your beliefs to defy what you feel comfortable tolerating, it is important to make your boundaries clear. 

Before the holidays, let your loved one know exactly what is unacceptable. For example, if you don’t want them to come to the gathering drunk, let them know that they will have to leave if they are drunk. When setting these boundaries, you are protecting yourself from potential harm.

Make the boundary and the consequences clear. Most importantly, be ready to stand by your boundaries. 

Learn to Let Go

In some cases, your loved one may not be joining you for the holidays. Whether it is the choice of the addict or of the family, spending the holiday season without your loved one can be difficult. You may be worried about their actions and miss their presence with you. When it comes to addiction, there are only so many things you can do to help your loved one.

It may be impossible not to worry, however, you shouldn’t let it destroy the holiday season. Instead, take some time to practice self-care. Some self-care strategies to keep in mind include getting enough sleep, getting regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, and taking time to relax by yourself.

In addition, you can also attend a local support group or al-anon meeting for family members of addicted loved ones. You, too, deserve support, especially during this time of year. 

Cassidy Webb is an avid writer who advocates spreading awareness on the disease of addiction. Her passion in life is to help others by sharing her experience, strength, and hope.

Also Read- Keeping Kids Active and Social During the School Holidays




6 Ideas to Upgrade Your Home’s Interior

November 21, 2019 by

There comes a time where we look at the inside of our homes and want a change. Nothing excites you anymore when staring at your living room space, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom. It all needs an upgrade and you’re not sure where to start. Home interior isn’t complicated when picking the right decor that works. There are thousands of resources to use online that can generate some ideas. Most of us seem to throw things together without a plan. Here are six ideas to upgrade your home’s interior.

1. Lighting

Take a look at your interior lighting. If it’s dull, then you need an upgrade. Lighting can make your rooms come alive. It makes them more enjoyable and helps with opening up the space visually. Consider track lighting in the living or the bathroom. Update all old lighting that’s out of date. Think about using different bulbs that can give off a different feel for each room. Placing lamps near chairs that fit with your decor can help as well.

2. Flooring

Any flooring that’s old and dingy needs to be replaced. It makes no sense to keep this flooring in your house as it can hurt the value. Find flooring that works with your home’s decor and doesn’t throw it off. Hardwood floors are great for pet owners. There are thousands of floor styles to choose from. Use the internet to match flooring types with your particular interiors.

3. Color Scheme

We all get tired of the paint on our walls. One big thing we discover is that nothing matches and it looks awful. We’ve walked around the house for years and never noticed it. Not all of us are the best decorators. You might need to call over a friend or family member to help you decide on what colors are appropriate for the furniture you have. This is also the same for window treatments or shades. Everything needs to coordinate with each other. If you don’t know where to turn, then talk with an interior designer to get you on track.

4. Bathroom Modification

Many bathrooms are simply boring and need an upgrade. You’ve hung on to the same old liner or shower curtain for years. Your sink counters are either faded or outdated. Take the time to research new bathroom wallpaper or color schemes. Consider installing a different type of shower instead of going for the traditional ones that are no longer used. Try something trendy and appealing. There’s nothing like having a well-designed bathroom to show off and use. You might consider the best sliding barn doors to give it a new entryway.

5. Kitchen Cabinets

Our kitchen cabinets go through a lot of wear and tear. They have visible dings or scratches. They could be so old that they’re on their last leg. Consider getting new ones that boost a new style. This will give your kitchen an instant new look that you’ve craved for years. Use the internet to find cabinets that work with your kitchen’s style and are on-trend. Avoid any that still look outdated or just old. To compliment your revamped kitchen, why not add a touch style with some wall hangings or art? If you’re going to spend a lot time whipping up culinary delights, best to make your kitchen as stylish as possible right!

To give your kitchen an updated look without compromising on style consider painting your cabinets or cabinet doors a new color. If you’re going for a minimalistic look, consider painting them white or another light neutral color. If you want to add a bit of personality to your kitchen, consider showing off your favorite dishware like a minimalistic teapot and place the mugs around it. These small changes will make a big impact on the overall look of your kitchen.

6. Ceilings

Years ago, many homes had popcorn ceilings. If you have this in your home, you might want to consider a change. Go for the smooth plain ceilings as they look and feel more trendy. It gives your home a more sophisticated feel instead of looking like you’re living back in the 70s. It’s best to consider revamping all of the ceilings in the entire house to a smooth surface.

These are six ideas to upgrade your home’s interior. Think about changing the lighting in all of your rooms. Some times we don’t realize how dull the look actually is. Bring some life to your house with new lighting styles. Get rid of and replace ugly flooring. Change your old color schemes to something new instead of hanging on to the old bland colors. Consider doing a revamp of your bathroom installing bright or printed shower curtains. Maybe the sink is outdated and you need something more trendy? Kitchen cabinets take a beating over time. It’s a good idea to replace these completely with something in the current year. Clean the popcorn ceiling so you have smooth surfaces that are more appealing.

Try some of these ideas to give your home a new, modern feel. You will love the look that these changes can bring. 




Skills vs. Qualifications: What You Need to Win Your Next Position

November 20, 2019 by

What is the best way to impress a potential employer? A CV with plenty of experience? A list of qualifications? Both? This is the question asked by many hungry applicants across every industry on the planet, as if there was some magic formula to secure your dream job. After all, without the prerequisite certification, candidates will likely face elimination in the early screening stages. But similarly, those without adequate experience to perform the role are also likely to be quickly turned down. So what’s left? In this blog, we explore when you have the skills, but not the qualifications, and what’s really needed to win your next position. 

job position

RPL Assessment

Just like the range of diverse professions available, every job posting will have a manager or recruitment officer behind it looking for something unique. What you can count on is that, no matter what you might be applying for, they are ultimately concerned with how you will perform the job once you’re hired. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know this until you have actually started working. One way to gain an indication is to see if you have the relevant qualifications to efficiently perform the tasks. But you could have obtained your skills outside of formal training avenues, or overseas, meaning you might not have the right piece of paper, but you have skills far superior than anyone else applying. That’s where an RPL Assessment can assist. This is a process that helps utilise your past experience and knowledge and translate it against applicable, nationally recognised qualifications. 

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can give your resume everything it needs to impress potential employers. Qualifications are normally issued by registered training organisations (RTOs) after someone has completed lengthy and costly training courses. RPL is the process by which RTOs can assess a portfolio of evidence consisting of examples of prior work, footage of work completed, referrals, other forms of qualification and more, to see whether the candidate can be deemed competent in their field in accordance with Australian standards. If so, then they will either be awarded credits against, or a full, nationally recognised qualification. If not, the RTO may even highlight the candidate’s areas in need of improvement, and recommended courses or programs that can help them upskill. 

Making the Most of Your Resume

There is no perfect balance between education, skills and qualifications. You want to do as much as you can to impress in both areas, to dissuade any doubts the person reading your resume – the one looking for the best new fit for their organisation – may hold. If you have the qualifications, but no real experience, it can always be beneficial to move into related roles that might not necessarily be what you want to do, but offer opportunities to upskill. Everyone has to start somewhere. Alternatively, if you have the  skills, but not the qualifications, look for ways (such as RPL) to utilise those parts of your life to be certified.




Unique Home Remodeling Tips

November 19, 2019 by

Renovating or remodeling your house may seem like a simple task at first. However, there are many tiny details that may go wrong along the way. To help you prevent that, here are a few simple tips.

Set Aside Enough Time

Avoid underestimating the amount of time it’ll take to fix up the house. It is possible to begin doing things and finding that they is a lot that needs to be done than you originally thought, and it ends up taking more time. If you’re quoted 3 to 4 weeks for a project, expect that to probably take 5 to 7 weeks instead. There’s always something else that comes up. It’s going to take more time and more money. So, make sure you don’t underestimate the time that it’s going to take to finish remodeling. Plus, people always make mistakes. It happens, so you have to account for all the mistakes and changes of things that need to be made along. Give yourself extra few weeks on every single project, and that would be a more realistic time.

Know the Specifics

There’s definitely a very steep learning curve between your first place and your fifth place. Always do your research and have a basic knowledge of the remodeling process. That way, if you go into a project and you see something being done incorrectly, you could spot that out and get it done correctly. For example, you may be doing a landscaping project. You give the landscaper complete control on the property, but you expect him to do it correctly. He cuts so many corners and fails to use tools like Generac along the way and does it so cheaply that in order to do it correctly, everything has to be completely ripped out and done over. That’s a lot of money down the drain just for a poor project that needs to be entirely redone. So, always know exactly what you want to be done.

Don’t Trust the Workers

People just naturally make mistakes. Sometimes the vision that you had in your head doesn’t correlate to what other people are thinking. So other people might have an entirely different opinion about the way something should be done that you had in your mind. So you should not blind trust people that they share the same vision that you do, because chances are it’s going to differ a little bit. So that’s why it’s so important to be on site as often as possible and make sure people have the same vision as you and are doing exactly what you want. Supervising the work is probably one of the best thing you can do.




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