Christmas should be an exciting and magical time for young children. As adults, even we can get wrapped up in all the excitement. However, for some children, all the lights, changes to routine, and magic can be overwhelming. On top of this, they find out that a complete stranger is going to break into their house on Christmas Eve by coming down the chimney. Even worse, this complete stranger has been watching them and judging their behaviour all year. Sounds pretty scary when it’s put like that, doesn’t it? So, for some children, Santaphobia is a real thing.
Dreams Beds have put together some advice on how to deal with Santaphobia. Here’s a basic overview of what they say:
Guest post from Deborah Ann Davis, award-winning author, parenting skills coach, and former high school educator of 20+ years
How would you like to be one of those Moms who has a handle on your stress? Here’s easy ways to get yourself there:
Restructure your neural pathways to more readily produced “happy hormones” to replace the stress hormones that accompany anxiety throughout the day. Easy-peasy, right? Okay, we’ll call it Quick Fixes, and I’m going to share half a dozen techniques to get you started.
Bonus: Every single one of these Quick Fixes comes with its own smidgen of empowerment because you prioritized a tiny “Me-Moment” for yourself.
Cerebral palsy affects a person’s movements and coordination, and often symptoms of the condition begin to show in childhood. If you are caring for a child with cerebral palsy this can be difficult at times, and you might be concerned over whether you’re doing everything you can to help them. Below are some tips and advice on how you can help your child with cerebral palsy and make sure they’re living a happy and healthy life.
There are many DIY projects that you can do at home without that much experience. You don’t even need to pay that arm and leg to buy all the equipment, because you can rent it out instead! With these two facts in mind, there are so many great projects you can take on to spruce up your home and make it into a custom, beautiful space for your whole family. So long as it doesn’t deal with anything structural, electrical, or to do with the plumbing, you are generally set to try it out for yourself.
The only thing you do need to think about, really, is the safety of yourself and your family. This is easy when it’s just you or your partner, but it can be hard to keep them safe if you have little kids. They wander in, they touch things they shouldn’t, and in general, there are a lot of dangerous items around the home that pose a risk. A risk, that is, unless you use this guide to keep them safe:
If you’re expecting, you’re probably wondering how you can best prepare for your baby. This might not be your first rodeo, but every pregnancy and child is unique and special. You might feel like you’re in the trenches alone, even if your partner is caring and doting. If you’re seriously feeling the impulse to nest, the go with it, Mama Bird. You know what you need best, and the rest, you can fill in the blank with your mother’s intuition. If you need a little guidance on what to focus on next, here are a few hints for soon-to-be mothers.
It’s difficult not to see how surrogacy can easily enrich the lives of intended parents, but what about all the other community benefits?
Surrogacy Ukraine or elsewhere, it’s not an industry in which there is only one beneficiary. “Surrogacy is something that helps everyone involved in the process.” Says a representative for ilaya, a world-renowned surrogacy ukraine provider. Despite valid concerns and heated debate over the ethical underpinnings of the practice- strip away the politics and religious piety, you’ll see a system of people who are genuinely working together to improve the lives of others, while improving their own at the same time.
It was once said that there is no such thing as true altruism, because any time you better someone else’s plight, you too will see benefit. It’s hard to argue that helping other people transcend their darkest moments and most debilitating tribulations doesn’t at least make you feel a bit better about yourself and the world you all share. Seeing real, unadulterated joy, helps spread happiness like wildfire. Feeling genuinely appreciated motivates us to continue giving. Surrogacy is no stranger to many of these feelings, and for most of the people involved in these journeys, it is a road well worth travelling.
Intended Parents
For many people on this globe, creating a family isn’t as simple as we’re all led to believe. “For parents, couples, and single individuals seeking surrogacy, it is often a last resort at the end of a very long, very expensive, and very difficult road.” The company tells us.Many will first have to undergo a series of different medical tests and fertility treatments until they are eligible for a surrogacy program. With many treatments ending is supreme disappointment.
Which makes surrogacy all the more important for the intended parents that require it. Often signifying their last hope of creating a family of their own. This benefit is easy to see, as testimonials of the experience can be quickly found from a basic internet search. In more recent years, cross-border surrogacy and surrogacy Ukraine have become attractive options to many hopeful parents, as these programs generally cost far less than those in other countries.
Some contest the act of “outsourcing” surrogacy to other countries, however, the community and economy of the intended parents’ home country benefits far more than that of the country the surrogacy was performed in. There are also heated debates regarding the moral and ethical practice of surrogacy, but many programs and surrogate agencies have strict rules in place in order to avoid exploitative processes.
Surrogate Mothers
These types of controversy generally revolve around the rights and comfort of the surrogate mother. While there has been a torrid history regarding the exploitation and poor treatment of surrogate mothers in some countries, Ukraine has created a lawful structure. These laws protect not only the intended parents, but the healthcare professionals, and the surrogates themselves. Providing a litigious scaffolding to engender better practice.
Ukraine is a country that has been caught between several wars and conflicts throughout decades. Destroying their economy and toppling infrastructure. Leaving many without a job or safe ways to earn an income. Surrogate mothers in Ukraine will earn money for their hard work, but there are a number of benchmarks they must meet in order to be eligible for the role. Ensuring that they are able to perform duties in a safe and healthy manner. These benchmarks also include different types of psychological testing, to ensure that they are motivated for the correct reasons and to help prevent exploitative practices to low-income women.
Many surrogate mothers report enjoyment of receiving payment for their involvement; but few report that as the main cause for enrollment into surrogacy ukraine programs. Ukraine women instead often report a high level of satisfaction at being able to help support families that are struggling. They also find value in the work, as it can be a struggle to feel necessary and useful within the country’s economic structure.
Medical Community
The medical community of Ukraine is one of the fastest paced programs in Europe. Offering a level of care equal to that of many other top European nations. Surrogacy benefits Ukraine in a number of ways, but it is not solely relegated to their nation. Many other countries that host surrogacy programs also see benefit in local and medical communities. Assisted Reproductive Technologies are a massive driver of science in medicine. A necessary service that dovetails other medical industries.
Hospitals and clinics are also good for the wider economic health of a given area. Providing any number of job security and stimulus to the surrounding area. Even small clinics require large and multi-leveled staffing. From sanitation to administration. It also provides a solid job opportunity which can encourage many to continue their education and begin filling more specialty roles.
Because of the protective legislation regarding healthcare providers for surrogacy, Ukraine physicians and other expert medical staff have the ability to research novel practice and indulge in cutting edge medical science. Low cost of living and a drive for economic independence gives the healthcare sector a unique opportunity of growth. With surrogacy quickly becoming a driving force.
Each satellite community of surrogacy programs, explicitly those within Ukraine, experience their own individual benefits from reproductive technologies. So while the study and delivery of surrogate programs may remain contentious, it’s important to remember that many can benefit from these practices, not just the parents themselves.
Has something about your life not felt quite right since you gave birth? Do you feel like a completely different person now that your pregnancy is over and your child is in your life? Are you concerned that you’ve lost a piece of your past self that you’ll never get back? Fear not, you will start feeling more like yourself again soon, you just have to give it time.
If you want to hurry up the process of feeling ‘normal’ again, be sure to put the following advice into practice:
The process of divorce and separation can be very trying and difficult for anybody going through one, particularly if it involves a custody battle for your children. In these difficult times, people can often act and react irrationally due to the high emotions, however, this can be detrimental to your child custody case. Throughout the process, the court and social services will be evaluating your behaviour and any decisions will be made accordingly. Here are some of the most common mistakes that fathers make during child custody battles, which could have an effect on your case.
Being sure to get enough water is an important aspect of maintaining good health. As an adult, you likely know just how hard it can be to make sure you drink enough water yourself.
Getting kids to drink water is all the more challenging, but an important habit to build from early on. Luckily, there are a few tricks to help get your kids to pick water over juice every time.
1. Choose the Right Water Bottle
It’s likely your child already has their designated favorites in your kitchen. Be it their favorite plate with a superhero on it or a cup with a cool design, dishes for kids have bright designs for a reason: kids use them more.
Picking out a water bottle for your child with a striking design is an easy way to entice them into using it all the more often.
Guest content from Lucy Wolfe, leading Sleep Consultant, Founder of Sleep Matters, author of The Baby Sleep Solution and expert at The Baby Show
1. Make a plan
Approach achieving a better sleep as you would any lifestyle change or adjustment. Understand that it will take time. It can help to write out both your end goal and intermediate goals, but more importantly how you intend to get there.
Your end goal may be to sleep in their cot, in their own room and through the night, if age appropriate. But maybe begin with getting them used to their cot in their own room and reducing the current wakes from 6 to 3. Break your goals down to achievable bite-sized portions.
Also commits to writing your plan. Write in the start date, the feeding and sleeping routine that you intend to follow, and the approach that you will use. Jot down an idea of the bedtime routine process, which night you will start and which parent does what.
It’s important to understand that progress will not be linear, and it may get worse before it gets better, but that it’s all learning. If you continue to journal and write a sleep diary then you will be able to clearly identify the improvements you make week on week. It takes 3-4 weeks plus to establish your sleeping patterns. During this time, be kind and compassionate to yourself and each other.
