Having a Baby? Here are 3 Top Tips to Ensure You’re Prepared

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Finding out that you’re pregnant is one of the most exciting experiences in your life. However, it’s also one of the most daunting. Although no one can be fully prepared for what comes your way, it’s good to do your research so that you’re as prepared as possible. Motherhood and fatherhood is a journey unlike any other, and without this preparation, it might come to the due date and you’re not ready for the changes.

Gifts to Give a Pragmatic Parent

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Do you dread getting your parents gifts whether if it's for Christmas, birthdays or holidays? It's not because you don't love them, quite the opposite actually. 

Supporting Your Parents In Old Age

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It can be a difficult thing to face up to, but it is a fact of life: we all get old. As children and younger adults, we look at our parents, and they can seem almost immortal. It isn't until we begin to get older ourselves that we notice the signs of aging - the grey hairs increasing, the skin getting more and more linked, the creak of the hips and knees, and perhaps the odd moment of forgetfulness. At some point, we have to accept that they may need a little extra support to help them live out the later years of their life in comfort.

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Here, we look at a few of the ways that you can support your parents in their old age.

Assess their needs

Organizing additional care and support for a parent can seem daunting because you are not sure exactly what needs to be done. What you need to do is to take a step back and think about how much help they need with various aspects of their everyday life.

Some of the things to consider include:

• Staying safe in the home
• Personal hygiene
• Cooking and eating
• Cleaning
• Mental health
• Shopping
• Social interaction 
• Mobility
• Medical needs

How much support do they get for each thing, and how much help do they actually need to stay safe and healthy? By looking at each situation individually, it allows you to see where the support is necessary so that you can plan it accordingly. This may be in the form of help in the community, or it may be that they are better suited to a care home. Make sure you do your research to find reputable support, and if you come across one that doesn't treat their residents with the utmost care and respect, Chony can help.

Consider your own needs and abilities

You are allowed to be a little bit selfish. You don't have to take on the full responsibility for caring for elderly parents, and it is okay to say, ''I can't do that''. Even if you want to, can you?

• Does your own health allow you to care for someone physically?
• Do you live close enough to visit when needed and be there at short notice?
• If you work, can you have time off to deal with issues?
• Do you have the relationship that allows you to care for them without any hostility or negativity?

Your main aim is for your parents to be healthy and safe. It isn't selfish or heartless if you are not the best person to take on the job of all-round care.

By looking out for their health and safety and getting the assistance they need, you're still a loving and supportive child.

If you take on too much responsibility and can't manage either physically or emotionally, you're not going to be able to support your parent or yourself, and that is not going to help anyone.

Accepting old age can be difficult, but it is inevitable. By considering the points above you can make sure that the process for everyone involved is calm, safe, and above all, happy. 

The Ultimate Coparenting Guide (How To Keep Things Right For Your Kid, Even When Your Relationship Goes Wrong)

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When a valued relationship like a marriage or civil partnership breaks down, it can be devastating, even if there is no one else involved. Of course, add a child or children to the mix, and things can get complicated very quickly. Especially if both parties still want to play an active role in their children's lives. That is not to say that co-parenting cannot be successful, however. In fact, you absolutely do not need to be in a relationship with the other person to do what is best for your child. The same being true for bringing them up to be a happy and well-adjusted individual. A topic that you can get the lowdown on in the post below. 

Adapting To Life As A Single Parent

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Breakups are difficult at any stage of life, but are particularly tough when splitting from your child’s other parent. In addition to supporting your son or daughter through the transitional phases, you must pay attention to your need.

There is a long journey ahead, but the following steps will lead you to success.

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#1. Attend To The Emotional Scars

Some relationships just fizzle out. However, many come as the result of a serious problem. It’s important that you treat those issues ASAP. Whether it’s attending a narcissistic abuse recovery program or understanding why your spouse cheated doesn’t matter. You need a chance to rediscover yourself. A sense of closure, and the opportunity to close the chapter and start the next one on a positive platform is key. Until then, you’ll never be truly happy – single or with a new partner.

#2. Be The Best Possible Parent

Regardless of relationship status, being a great parent is your number one goal in life. Shielding them from the relationship problems and fighting is important. When it comes to separation, it is better to stay united and offer reassurances at all times. Depending on the reason for the breakup, this might not be possible. Ultimately, you have to weigh up the options before finding what works best in your personal situation. Either way, maintaining stability in their daily lives should be top of the agenda. After all, it’s better to have two happy homes than one unhappy one.

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#3. Be Happy In Your Skin

It’s easy to let our looks and health slide when we’re in relationships. Therefore, taking some time to invest in your health and rebuild a sense of self-confidence is vital. Seeking enjoyment from healthy eating and regular exercise will also keep your emotional health in a far better place. If nothing else, the distractions allow you to stop dwelling on negative thoughts and focus on the positive steps that are being made in your life. This will make the transitional phase far easier.

#4. Make Time For Friends & Family

A little adult conversation goes a long way when you’re getting over a breakup as a parent. Without it, the cycle of being stuck with your thoughts and child-friendly chat will get to you. Visits to or from your family and friends are essential. It’s OK to let your hair down on the nights when your son or daughter is with your ex spouse too. As long as it doesn’t impact your capabilities as a parent, the emotional benefits of creating balance in your life are huge. If you’re not careful, the loneliness can seriously harm your enthusiasm.

#5. Think About Finances

Adapting to the new lifestyle is very stressful, and financial problems are at the heart of it. Reducing your bills without compromising life quality is essential. Meanwhile, you can speak to experts about the financial support that may be available. Obtaining your financial entitlements will make the road ahead far easier. Aside from anything else, it’s one less distraction to worry about. In turn, you can focus on doing the best for yourself and your children. What more could you want?

Outdoor Electronics For A Different Kind Of Play

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Most parents like the idea of giving their children something unique and interesting to spend their time on. It can be hard to drag the little ones away from the computer screen, nowadays, and many mums and dads would rather their little ones be enjoying themselves outdoors. Of course, though, there aren’t that many digital devices that can survive outdoor play. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the best outdoor electronics on the market, giving you the chance to change the way your children play, without forcing them to use toys that they don’t like.

Drones

You’ve probably already heard of drones before, with these electronics taking the world by storm over the last few years. They come in all shapes and sizes, with some designed for professional camera work, and others made for fun. You will be looking for the latter and this isn’t too hard at all. It’s worth reading some reviews when you’re looking for products like this, along with considering local laws that could make it hard for your child to play with their drone. This sort of toy can teach your child about physics, along with giving them the chance to test their dexterity, with most cheaper drones being challenging to fly.

Boats

While they are often underrated when compared to their airborne counterparts, boats are amazing machines. With some being almost unthinkably huge, it’s easy to let the imagination wander when a child is playing with something like this. You can look at these battleships to learn more about the options you have available to you, giving you the chance to find a remote-controlled boat that will interest you and your child. You will need a body of water to be able to use a product like this, with lakes, ponds, and swimming pools being far better than a bath. Of course, though, like the drone, you need to think about your local laws.

Mobile Games

Not everyone has the resources to splash out on expensive gadgets for their children. Unfortunately, a lot of these items are very expensive and this leaves families on strict budgets without the option to buy them. To make up for this, mobile games have been opening up over the last few years, and there are now several options which are designed to be played outside. Pokemon Go! is a great example of this. A player needs to walk around outside if they want to progress, and there are often large meetings of other players who can trade and get to know one another. This sort of product is changing the way children can play, all without their parents having to drag them away from their phones.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of creating a different kind of play for your child. A lot of people find it hard to know what they need to do when they’re looking for alternative options for outdoor play, though this market is booming like never before.

Steps to Manage Life and Stress

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Stress is something that we can all feel and experience at different times in our life. Some of us will feel stress more acutely than others, and some people will feel the stress of just everyday life being more than others; we are all different and react to things differently. But overall, stress is a feeling of something feeling pressurized.

Developing a Strong Relationship with Your Teen

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Teenagers are a challenge. They can drive you crazy, eat up all of your disposable income and bring all kinds of dramas into your home, but there’s no denying your love for them. Your child’s teenage years are when they start becoming adults, shaping who they’re going to be in the future. It’s a time you’ll want to be around for which can be difficult when your teenager is trying to push the boundaries.

Setting Your Kids Up For Success

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You want your children to be happy and healthy above all else. You also want them to grow up strong and secure in themselves and to be able to achieve whatever it is they want out of life. After all, as a parent, it’s your job to give your child everything they need in their first years of life! (And of course, for the next couple of decades too…)

Making Sure Your Kids are Getting Sufficient Exercise

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When we think of exercise, many of us automatically think of our own exercise regimes. We think of heading to the gym, meeting up with a personal trainer, and attending different classes, but adults aren’t the only ones who need to exercise - kids need to exercise too!

Video Games And Violence

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Video games are often blamed for exposing children to violence. Parents are constantly warned about the detrimental impact video games can have. Moreover, when something bad happens in the news and a child has done something they shouldn’t have, there will often be a comment referring to the video games they play – whether the news makes the reference or those watching. In fact, 77% of parents in an online study said they blame video games for the exposure of violence. Nevertheless, video games cannot take all of the blame. In fact, some would say that video games are made a scapegoat for the other issues there are in society which relate to violence.

Are video games the scapegoat?

There is a vast array of video games available, and only a small proportion of these actually relate to violence. If parents have control over the games that their children play then they can ensure that nothing too violent is played. Most games have an age tag on them, and this should be followed. For instance, Grand Theft Auto is rated suitable for those who are aged 18 years old or above. However, you would not believe how many young children are allowed to play this game. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that all the games played by their children are age appropriate. Of course, this can be easier said than done when children are at their friends’ houses! 

Are video games entirely to blame? 

By totally focusing one’s attention to video games, it is easy to miss the other elements which relate to the exposure of violence in young children. As any psychiatrist will tell you, there are many other contributing factors which are merely overlooked. For example, music videos today contain a large proportion of violence. A recent study concluded that 15% of music videos featured interpersonal violence. In fact, the lyrics of songs themselves can be very aggressive and allude to violent messages. Therefore, even without the videos, the songs can still have a negative effect. This is why a lot of albums come with explicit labels on them and thus you need to bear that in mind when buying music for your child as well. 

Moreover, the shows watched on television often relate to violent acts, and this is largely considered the biggest contributing factor because children are more likely to act out what they see on TV. Therefore it is important to be careful about what you have on your television when your children are about. Moreover, even things which seem little – such as having an argument with your partner – can have a mass effect on young children. This is because their minds are very impressionable. This is something which rings truer the younger that they are. Thus, you need to be mindful of this as well.

Many people share the opinion that video games expose children to violence. Nevertheless, if you ensure the games are rated age appropriate for your child then this exposure will be limited drastically. Moreover, there are other contributing factors which need to be acknowledged as well.

Are You Ready To Start A Family?

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Knowing whether you are ready or not to start a family can be very difficult. Some people feel like they have always been ready to have children. There are then those who are never ready for this and don’t want to have kids at all. What is important to remember is that there is no right or wrong. You should not judge yourself on what others have done. You should focus on yourself and what is right for you. With that being said, read on to discover some of the signs that you probably are ready to have children.

Do you feel financially ready? Of course, money is not the most important thing in life. However, when you are bringing a baby into the world, it is important to be stable at least. You are going to be entering a period whereby you are going to have another life in your hands. You will need to buy more supplies, more food, and then you will need to start paying for school once your child starts to get older, and so on. It quickly gets expensive.

Are you ready to put down roots? Are you happy living in the area you currently reside in? Can you see yourself living there for the next few years? Are you happy to swap your regular holidays for the foreseeable future for this new life?

Do you have the capacity for empathy? This is a bit of a strange one, as there are a lot of people who cannot answer this question until they become a parent for the first time and they 100 percent know that they do have the capacity for empathy. However, there are a lot of people who have seen family planning experts upon learning they were pregnant because they simply don’t feel like they have this compassion or that it’s in their make-up to be a parent. This can sound unusual to those reading this who know they want kids, but for some people, it just wasn’t meant to be their path in life.

Is your relationship strong? Last but not least, you need to look at your relationship when you are considering bringing a baby into this world. This may sound obvious, but it is surprising how many people do not consider this at all. They simply decide they want to have a baby, even though their relationship may not be in the best place right now. Remember, having a baby will only add more stress and strain - it won’t fix anything. Your relationship needs to be strong.

All things considered, we hope that this blog post has helped you to figure out whether or not you are ready to have children. Even if you do feel ready right now, you may never feel 100 per cent ready because of the fact that this is such a big change in anyone’s life. Nevertheless, as mentioned, it is all about you and your partner, so concentrate on this.

How To Plan The Best Children's Party

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No matter what their gender or age might be, the most enjoyable part of a birthday for little ones (besides getting some fun presents!) is their party. Setting a date a few months in advance will give you time to plan the whole thing accordingly, and allow them go nuts with excitement as the big day approaches. Whether you’re DIY-ing at home or going all out, in this article you will find some of the best tips, tricks and ideas to help you make sure your child has the best day ever.

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Involve Them In The Planning

It's likely your little one will already have some ideas in their head of what they want at their birthday party. Some of these may be slightly outlandish and not particularly achievable, as unicorns are hard to come by, but you will definitely be able to decipher some great things to include on their special day. Get them to write down a few locations or themes and then you can decide which of those you think would be the most fun but also the most logical too. Giving them the opportunity to help will get them even more excited in the build-up to their party, and also make them feel more involved and special to be part of the planning. It also stretches out the experience from being just a few hours of joy to months of anticipation.

Who To Invite

Dependent on the type of party you’re planning, you have to establish a guest list. Make sure their best friend(s) are free on the day you’ve chosen for the event and establish the size of the group that can attend. If it’s a small get together such as a sleepover, keep the number below 5 and make sure it’s odd so as not to leave anyone behind - pairs always work better. If it’s a larger event like a disco, think about including all of their classmates or sports team members. This way you will be able to involve everyone they know and make it a lovely environment for stronger friendships to be built. If you’re doing the whole school class option, ask their teacher if your little one could distribute some invitations before a lesson begins; often if everyone will be receiving an invite they won’t say no. This can help to build their confidence too, and add to the excitement of it all.

The Budget

Possibly the most important influence to any decisions you can make to do with the party is your overall budget. If you don't have a lot to spend, consider some DIY options and get your child to help too. Spending some time with them to craft decorations or bake a big celebration cake will be a lovely experience, and will make the day even more satisfying for them when they know they contributed towards its creation. It’s also a lot cheaper to create these items yourself rather than outsourcing them, so it’s a win-win situation. If you’re looking for a day trip that won’t break the bank, get some discount Disneyland tickets for a magical cost-conscious adventure. There are many ways to save money whilst still planning the most memorable birthday, so do a little research on alternatives before spending more than required.

Party Favors

It’s a sort of tradition to hand out party favors to all of the guests when they leave so they have something to take home with them. The contents of their ‘party bag’ should depend upon the theme of the day. For a day of arts and crafts include some paintbrushes and pencils, for a wild day at an outdoor adventure park add some cool wild animal figurines or get an entertainer in to do brilliant themed face painting. Always include a piece of the birthday cake, as this is a party favor staple! There are many things that can be personalized and included, and it's possible to make most or even all of the party bags contents yourself.

Games Galore

Keeping your little one(s) occupied is difficult at the best of times, so when you have an entire group of children their age running circles around your feet, you have to invest in some games and entertainment. Again this really does depend on the location of the party, but there are a few go-to’s that you might want to consider. Treasure hunts are a tried and tested winner as all children will want to get involved, especially if they’re looking for sweets and candy. Taking the age group into consideration, you may want to think about hiring a clown or a professional children's entertainer. Unfortunately clowns have lost their touch over the years due to various horror films, but fortunately, a magician or a superhero would be a much better and accessible replacement.

Presents

One of the main reason children look forward to their birthdays is the hope of being drowned in presents. If you’ve splashed out on a big day, you might have to scrimp when it comes to buying them a gift. However continuing with the DIY method, you can create some smaller items on your own that relate to the theme of the party. It’s important that they can see the party as a present in its own right too. It’s likely they will get a few gifts if they host a larger event, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don't forget their thank you’s in the excitement of it all!

It’s hard to get every little detail to be perfect, but it really doesn’t matter! Focus on the experience as a whole, and make sure your child feels special on their big day. With this information, you should be able to plan and execute something spectacular for them to remember for years to come. Don’t forget to involve the special boy or girl in the planning of their party, and try to relax and enjoy yourself too!