Preventing Flat Head Syndrome

by Mahir Garth on October 19, 2021

To reduce the chances of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it’s recommended to place a baby on his or her back when sleeping. However, this has also led to an increase in neck and head issues and flat head syndrome. There are different things you can do to prevent flat head syndrome, as well as numerous baby pillows on the market to help. A baby can develop flat head syndrome because their bones are soft and affected by pressure. Even with the increase in flat head syndrome, it’s still important to place the baby on their back for sleeping.

Daily Supervised Tummy Time

Tummy time will help a baby develop shoulder and neck control. When a baby is not on his or her back, they are exercising their growing bodies during tummy time. Your goal should be about an hour of tummy time broken up throughout the day. The best time to start is after your child’s first visit to the pediatrician. Anytime between four and six months, your child will likely start rolling over on his or her own and getting in more tummy time naturally.

Massages

If you are able to tell that your kid has tight neck muscles and is holding his or her head in a certain way then you may want to try a gentle neck massage. This can help relax the neck muscles. Pay attention to make sure the massage is not too uncomfortable for your child since you are moving out of the body’s comfort zone.

Help Your Child Get Moving

When a baby starts to approach two months of age, he or she starts to see things more clearly. This is a great time to start moving around the room so that your child can notice different things in all directions in the room. This provides a passive form of exercise and helps encourage your baby to exercise the neck muscles.

Encourage Playtime

There are different ways you can encourage playtime. Shake a rattle or use your child’s favorite stuffed animal and then move around the room. This will have your child slowly moving the neck and head muscles to strengthen them.

Avoid Long Road Trips

When in the car for an extended period of time, a baby will hold his or her neck in the same position while in a car seat. Although many children will fall asleep in the car, this is not always a safe position and it’s best to place the baby on his or her back when sleeping so that the neck muscles are instead in a stretched out and natural position.

The Use of Baby Pillows

Baby pillows can help position the head to help prevent flat head syndrome. However, it’s important to be the right height and shape to make sure that the baby is comfortable and there isn’t additional strain on the body. Baby pillows can also help with temperature distribution around the head and improve blood circulation.

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Make Your Produce Last Longer

by Mahir Garth on October 13, 2021

Many households shop for food and produce at least once a week — whether it is at a farmer’s market, a superstore, a neighborhood grocer, a specialty store or even a combination of resources. However, several families not only purchase produce regularly — they dispose of it often, as well.

Growth Of Food Waste

Food waste is a growing issue, especially in America. It is estimated that about 40% of food is thrown out in a year. A family of four trashes around $1,500 worth of food annually. That equates to about 80 million pounds of food, amassing to $161 billion in food waste. It has become a massive contributor to landfills, taking up approximately a quarter of landfill garbage. The most common product to be trashed is dairy and other dairy products, followed by fruits and vegetables.

What’s the leading cause of food waste? Spoilage. However, food and produce are often thrown away despite still being edible. Consumers may not be able to decipher expiration dates correctly or trash food that they do not want to eat anymore. That’s an unfortunate pattern, but there is hope for those who have issues with spoilage. There are many ways families can help their produce last longer which will save money, reduce food waste, and help overcrowded landfills.

Keep Track Of Waste

Firstly, it’s beneficial to keep track of what your family is throwing out the most. What kind of food products are you mostly disposing? Are you trashing produce every week because it has gone rotten, or do you just not wish to eat it? What’s the value of these foods being thrown away? Consider freezing food if possible or creating a compost heap for your home garden. Planning and organizing a weekly menu before heading to the store can help cut out impulsive spending and encourage smart, efficient purchases.

Upgrade Your Storage

Additionally, your family can upgrade the family refrigerator or add an approved purification system to your fridge that utilizes ozone and ionization technology to lessen ethylene. This can further delay decomposition in food and produce. Properly storing fruits and vegetables can also help them stay fresh for a longer period of time.

The infographic below provides more information about proper food storage and other tips and tricks.

Infographic provided by Greentech Enviornmental

Family

Ways To Encourage Your Teen Athlete

by Mahir Garth on October 13, 2021

Participating in sports is a core component of the high school experience for millions of teens. In addition to being active and building friendships, teen athletes gain numerous advantages when they play individually or as part of a team. Studies have shown that students who participate in any form of athletics earn higher grades and miss fewer days than their peers who aren’t involved. Whether they play football, run track or swim, your kids can get a lot out of their involvement in athletics. However, they can’t do it alone.

As a parent, one of your biggest responsibilities is supporting your children as they grow. Although participating in sports can be one of the best ways for them to learn good habits and develop skills that will last them a lifetime, it also can be a tremendous commitment for them and for you. Beyond the time and money these activities require, it’s also important to be ready to support your teen athletes in other ways. Otherwise, what might have been a promising extracurricular endeavor could fall by the wayside.

Although their coaches give them the training and encouragement they need to succeed on the field, parents also play a critical role in determining how well teens perform at sports. For example, simply being there at games or meets to cheer them on can be a powerful motivator for many. Even though they may not show it in an obvious way, knowing their families are there to see them compete helps high school athletes stick with it and make the most of their experiences.

Setting a good example at home is just as important as making sure your son or daughter always makes it to practice on time. This means serving healthy meals and keeping up with your fitness regimen. However, it’s also important to remember that teenagers will indulge in the occasional sugary snack or veg out on the couch once in a while. Being too strict about what they eat or how they spend their free time may end up pushing them away from sports altogether.

Supporting your teenagers throughout their athletic experiences can demand a lot from you, but the rewards can be well worth it. To learn more about what you can do to make sure your kids get the most from their activities and why it matters, take a look at the accompanying resource.

Infographic provided by Funky Otter

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Protecting Your Home From Package Theft

by Mahir Garth on October 13, 2021

As more households choose online retail shopping over in-person, it has caused an increase to an unfortunate trend — parcel theft. Package thieves, or sometimes known as porch pirates, are thieves who take delivered packages left at an addressee’s doorstep. In some instances, these thieves will shadow postal and delivery trucks throughout neighborhoods and wait for packages to be delivered. Some porch pirates will even wear a uniform to look less suspicious when stealing these goods. Luckily, there is hope for online shoppers to avert these sneaky thieves.

The gross value of packages that have been stolen last year from American consumers is $5.4 billion. The number is astounding. However, as the number of stolen packages continues to escalate, several households have resorted to creative solutions. These booby traps range from fake packages filled with stink sprays and glitter bombs to setting off sirens when their parcel gets lifted.

Nonetheless, there are other safer and more effective measures that homeowners can use. For instance, installing surveillance cameras or implementing doorbell cameras can help deter pesky porch pirates from pilfering your packages. Sometimes, they’re even caught in the act. Cameras can provide a source of video evidence that homeowners can present to their local police department. Concerned consumers can also install motion-sensor security lights.

An alternative and cost-efficient strategy to avoid package theft is to request an authorized signature for your package when delivered. Therefore, the delivery driver will not leave your parcels in danger. This method is greatly advantageous when expecting expensive goods.

Homeowners can also register for Amazon Key, but only if they have an Amazon Prime membership. This allows customers to have their packages delivered inside their garage, home or vehicle. Delivery drivers do not need an actual key. Instead, Amazon Prime members utilize an authorized smartphone app to remotely unlock the door to their desired drop-off location.

To find out more about how to prevent porch pirates, check out the infographic below.

Infographic provided by Bosma

Kids

How To Prepare Your Kid’s Suitcase For The Holiday

by Mahir Garth on October 13, 2021

Taking a vacation with your family is a good opportunity to have a great time together. Plus, it’s an occasion where you will have fun and get a well-deserved relaxation.

One of the less relaxing parts of a family trip is packing. It is simple to pack a lot of clothes and overthink things while forgetting small yet vital items.

Packing your children’s suitcase neither does it have to be complicated nor a chore. With the right preparation and careful planning, you will be able to whiz through the entire process, especially when you apply the following strategies:

1. Have a List

Some individuals pack complete outfits, while others opt to select shirts/tops and skirts/trousers, which they match and mix.

Whichever way you prefer, it is wise to carry extra clothing if your kids spill something and need to change their designer baby clothes more than usual.

2. Pack Several Days before the Trip

Rather than rushing your kids, as a parent, you have to be patient with their packing pace, particularly when you’re still teaching them the skill.

It is highly recommended that you begin packing ahead of time to avoid missing out on several important things when you pack on the last day.

3. Consider Layering Up

Dump heavy dresses, coats, thick jumpers, and jeans, and consider thinking layers instead. For girls classic clothing, think T-shirts, fleeces, light jumpers, neck buffs, thin shirts, and thermals.

Quick-dry fabrics and silks are also great. They are simply lightweight and easy to dry and wash up. Because they occupy less space, you will be able to carry a few more things for your kids.

4. Determine the Weather of Your Destination

A key factor to help you determine what to pack in your kid’s suitcase is the weather. Cold snowy and summery beach holidays are actually the simplest to pack as you will know what to expect with a clear wardrobe expectation.

Where temperatures vary, big variances in the temperature exit and rain is a possibility, packing might get a little bit trickier.

To get a fairly accurate forecast for ten days or so, you may visit popular weather forecasting websites, such as Weather Channel.

5. Go for the Appropriate Fabrics

As obvious as it can sound, summer is usually hot, and your kids will sweat, making them whine and complain.

The best way to make them comfortable throughout the vacation is to avoid carrying synthetic fabrics, which may make your kids sweat profusely and unnecessarily.

For instance, organic cotton pants are suitable clothes for little boys because they absorb moisture and promote air circulation around the skin.

The best part is that cotton fabrics are not only natural but also less likely to result in irritations and rashes. Plus, they are comfortable, making your kids not to fiddle and fuss in their airplane seats because their pants interfere with the bottom.

Closing Remarks!

Holidays are great, but when you have kids involved, particularly younger ones, the act of getting to your destination might be a tad stressful.

Packing is among the challenging tasks that exist when you still have a young family, especially if you cannot just throw anything and hope for the best.

Before you pack, it is recommended that you check the size and weight restriction on the airline’s hand luggage allowance so as to know what to bring along.

News

How to throw a 20s themed party

by Mahir Garth on October 4, 2021

Known as the Roaring Twenties, the 1920s was a decade epitomised by glamour and excess. With the First World War out the way, young people simply wanted to let their hair down and celebrate life, with parties, cocktails, music, and dancing.

If you’re hosting your own party, then a 20s theme is guaranteed to wow your guests and see they have the time of their lives. Here are just a few things you might like to consider when planning a 20 themed party.

Decorations

One colour scheme we really associate with the 1920s is black and gold, and the art deco style was all the rage. Think about black and gold table cloths, gold tassel chandeliers, and big, bold table centrepieces involving gold balloons, peacock feathers and sequins. Chinese print lanterns were popular, as were elegant fabrics such as red velvet, so a red carpet at the entrance wouldn’t go amiss. You might also want to look into hiring fairy light curtains, and possibly an ice bar if your venue is big enough.

Live music

No 20s themed party would be complete without a live band, because parties in the Roaring Twenties were all about the dancing and the music! Having a live band adds to the atmosphere and makes people want to get up and let their hair down because it’s hard to stop yourself foot tapping when there is live music in the room. You could request some fast-paced jazz or swing to fit in with your theme because this was the era in which jazz took off big time on both sides of the Atlantic.

Costumes

Fashion went a bit wild in the 20s! Women dared to bare for the first time, and so-called ‘flapper girls’ appeared on the scene and shook things up. For an authentic 20s themed party, women might choose dresses influenced by the period, with plenty of tassles, sequins, and patterned silk. For men, the dress code could involve sharp suits or even plus fours.

Food and drink

The 20s was the age of the cocktail, so a long cocktail list at the bar is required here! Think of the classics – gin and tonic, cosmopolitan, bloody Mary, whisky sidecar. Food-wise, you might go for elegant food bowls and canapes, basically anything which can be eaten standing up to keep the party going! That might include things such as smoked salmon, bruschetta, mini puff pastry tarts, and sandwiches, all of which can be eaten on the go.

The key to a successful 20s themed party is bringing that touch of glamour and excitement to proceedings, by capturing the mood of the period. Stick to your gold and black colour scheme, inject some fun with live music and raise a glass to the era of excess!

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Sustainable Parenting Products We Should All Use

by Mahir Garth on October 4, 2021

When it comes to sustainable parenting, there’s an emphasis on educating children to be eco-conscious and make decisions with the good of the planet in mind.

The goal being to teach kids to be more sustainable so they can grow up loving and caring for the environment which surrounds them.

There’s no real ‘playbook’ when it comes to this sort of thing, but there are some handy tips and tricks which you can take on and try. They’re not difficult either, so don’t worry about that!

New nappies

Nappies are a pivotal of parenthood for making sure there are no unfortunate spills and accidents during day-to-day life. The trouble with nappies is that they’re not very good for the environment.

Most end up in landfills where they’re left to pile up, or burnt, which can release harmful emissions into the atmosphere – luckily there are other options.

Bamboo Nappies are a great example, they’re mostly biodegradable, better for the planet and contain less plastic than normal nappies. Bamboo is an excellent eco-friendly resource which grows super-fast and is much better for the environment.

Not only that, but because bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, it’s super soft on your babies’ sensitive skin, reducing the risk of nappy rash!

Have a green clean

Having kids and babies means mess is almost inevitable, so that means you need stock up on cleaning products.

For quite a while, it’s been well-known that cleaning products contain toxins that are harmful to the planet and our health too. So why not make the switch to something more sustainable and eco-friendlier?

There are plenty of green cleaning options which use all-natural products, but why not make your own? Use lemon juice or vinegar with baking soda to scrub your pots and pans or wipe down your surfaces – they’re cheap and don’t come in plastic bottles, either!

Sustainable Straws!

No doubt you’ve got some straws lurking in your cupboard to slip into your kids’ favourite drinks so they can slurp it up (and there’s less chance of them spilling it on the new carpet…)

But if they’re plastic, you should know better. Plastic straws are terrible for the planet, in particular marine life – they stick around the ocean for years, getting eaten by all kinds of fish and animals.

Invest in some reusable straws which you can wash up and use countless times. If single-use is your thing, try paper, or better yet bamboo, which is sturdier and eco-friendlier.

It’s a small change, but you never know, it could make a big difference! Especially to the turtles…

If parents can instil these practices early and teach their children the best ways to enjoy sustainable living, the future of the planet might start looking a little brighter for all of us.

The next generation of eco-conscious kids could be the answer we’re all looking for, and it’s up to today’s parents to teach them the ways!

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Factors Determining the Cost of Professional House Cleaning

by Mahir Garth on October 2, 2021

It is no longer right to assume that anyone who is not dedicated to cleaning their home or apartment is lazy. Due to the high cost of living that has defined this new age, people are going the extra mile to meet their ever-rising financial needs. As a result of this, most individuals find it difficult to manage their homes or apartments concerning cleanliness. The idea of hiring a professional cleaner to work home or apartment cleaning services has therefore taken root in virtually every society. Finding a competent house cleaner is satisfying because it gives a homeowner the peace of mind that they badly need.

Factors that determine the cost of professional house cleaning

As the demand for professional house cleaning services continues to rise, experts in this field leave nothing to chance when it comes to streamlining their operations. Before a professional house cleaner agrees to clean your house, there are several factors that they will consider for purposes of determining the scope of work and the pricing. Therefore, it is important for every homeowner to familiarize themselves with some of these factors to make a wise judgment when engaging a professional house cleaner. Here are some of the factors that will determine the cost of professional house cleaning;

Condition of the house – A house or an apartment that has not been cleaned for an extended period will cost a substantial amount to clean. This is because a lot of time will be spent digging through the clutter and doing away with the accumulated dirt fora longer period. A professional house cleaner will assess the condition of your home before quoting its price. The more neglected your home or apartment is, the higher it will cost to clean it.
Square footage – Most maid services will charge you per sq. foot of space. Since a bigger house will demand more cleaning supplies and a bigger workforce, professional house cleaners will charge a higher amount of money to clean such houses compared to smaller ones with a limited number of rooms. This, therefore, means that before engaging a professional cleaner, it is important to understand that the bigger your house or apartment, the more you will have to pay and vice versa. In the unfortunate event that you cannot pay for the cleaning of your entire house or apartment, you can have an arrangement with a professional cleaner and have them clean only the space you are capable of paying for. You can always clean your home in phases.
Type of cleaning – There are different types of cleaning services that are offered by professional home cleaners. In most cases, companies offer services that revolve around standard cleaning procedures like, dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming. However, there are instances when a client may require services that touch on rarely cleaned places. Examples of such places include; baseboards, washing machines, and interior windows. Advanced cleaning of this nature will automatically cost a lot more than standard cleaning offered by most cleaning services.
Frequency of cleaning – If you are hiring a professional house cleaner for a one-time thorough cleaning, then expect to pay a higher amount. However, this is not the case when you are engaging a professional cleaner for an extended period. There are chances that you will benefit from the service provider’s discounts, since you will be spending more on the service as a whole.

Final thought

Whether you live in your home or a rented apartment, the fact remains that cleanliness should be treated with a lot of seriousness. Suppose you feel overwhelmed by other responsibilities that are equally important in helping you to foot your bills, it is advisable to hire a professional house cleaning company to clean your home or apartment, as you focus on other issues that need your attention.

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Tips to Keep You Safe While Driving

by Mahir Garth on September 29, 2021

A motor vehicle accident can leave you injured and unable to provide for your family. Even a relatively minor collision can still be a major inconvenience.

Try these tips to help you stay safe on the road.

Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Vehicle

Keep your automobile in perfect working order helps to ensure it behaves as you expect while you’re driving. You should make sure your brake pads are replaced regularly and don’t delay your oil changes. Additionally, check for any recalls associated with your vehicle.

People often drive on tires long past when they should have been changed. Make sure to replace worn tires with new ones from a reputable brand, like Falken tires.

Adjust Your Vehicle’s Features Before You Drive

Most automobiles can be customized for your individual needs. These adjustments should be made before you begin driving to prevent distractions. Set your climate control settings. Position your mirrors to guarantee you can see your surroundings. Adjust your seat so you are comfortable but able to drive correctly.

Wear a Seatbelt

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wearing a seatbelt in a passenger car reduces the chance of a moderate to critical injury by about 50% and the risk of a fatal injury by 45%. Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to protect yourself in a car.

Avoid Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to see and respond to hazards, as well as affecting your judgment in other ways. If you choose to drive under the influence, you are risking your own life and that of others on the road. When you drink, make sure to arrange a ride with a rideshare service or with a designated sober driver.

Follow Traffic Laws and Speed Limits

The primary intent of traffic laws is to promote public safety on roads and highways. Among these laws, those regarding speed, traffic lights, and traffic signs are perhaps the most important. For example, speed was a factor in about a quarter of all traffic fatalities in 2019, according to National Safety Council. Driving within the speed limit decreases the risk of a serious or fatal injury if an accident does occur.

Account for Poor Conditions

When facing inclement weather and conditions, like rain, ice, smoke, and fog, you must use additional caution. Relatively safe driving habits and speeds can quickly become dangerous in these types of conditions. For example, even driving the speed limit could be dangerous on wet or icy streets. You should avoid operating a vehicle in bad weather altogether, but if you do need to venture out, reduce your speed and pay close attention to potential hazards.

Limit Distractions

Distracting activities, like using your cell phone, changing the music, and focusing on other passengers, can pull your attention from the road and lead to a car wreck. Try turning your phone off, resist making changes to your music or climate control, and ask your passengers not to distract you.

By taking common-sense steps to protect yourself on the road, you can reduce the risk of a serious or fatal injury.

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Digital Marketing Tips For Home Working Parents

by Mahir Garth on September 3, 2021

Growing your business online while balancing childcare and family life can be a strain. Keeping your clients happy, looking after the kids, and running your household can mean promoting your own business loses out.

We outline some efficient digital marketing tips for home-working parents to keep leads coming in without taking up too much of your precious time.

Getting started

One of the biggest challenges with creating your own marketing is knowing where to start. Buying yourself a little time is the first step. With a baby in the house, you can consider a baby bassinet to keep your little treasure entertained while you work. A baby crib also provides the perfect solution if it is time for a rest.

When you make it to your desk, let’s get into a great starting point for your digital marketing. First, think about creating a few core pieces of content that you can utilize across your campaigns. As a baseline, you will want a logo, color palette, and a recognizable font. Use these across all your materials for consistency and brand building.

Generate your content

Be realistic about your content. As a guide, try to produce at least a short blog each week about an interesting, thought-provoking topic related to your customers. Top tips and ‘5 reasons’ style articles are a great start and very SEO-friendly.

Putting together a simple content schedule and campaign template. This will help you plan topics that your audience will relate to. It also helps you ensure consistency across all your marketing channels.

Choose your channels

With some content to work with, you can now decide on the best channels to promote it. Think about your target audience and where they go to find information. Focus on particular social media platforms depending on your target demographic.

From your weekly article, you can craft a few days’ worths of social posts. You can also create some simple Google Ads and build an email database. Once you have decided on the best social media platforms for your audience, consider some paid ads to maximize your visibility.

Depending on your line of business, you can also consider listing your services on digital freelancer sites to generate leads.

Test, test, test

Run some tests across all your campaigns. Establish key marketing metrics for your website, social channels, and emails. Run A/B tests with all your content to see what works best.

(Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-imac-displaying-line-graph-placed-on-desk-572056/ )