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While we know that it's important to look after our mental health and our faculties we can sometimes forget about looking after our senses. After all, it can be something that we think that we don't really have to look after as we get older, especially because there's hearing aids and support out there. But there are things that we need to do to look after our deteriorating senses. But what are the best ways to look after each one?

For your eyes, do eye exercises

As we get older it is likely we will have to get glasses and there are varying strengths of glasses from bifocals to progressive lenses (which you can read about here). But what we can do to ensure that we are giving our eyes a little bit more strength is to do some eye exercises to help our vision and improve reading speeds. Eye exercises are amazingly straightforward. All you need to do is warm up your eyes, roll them, do some focusing exercises, and massage your temples.

For your ears, listen to music

As we get older our hearing might deteriorate somewhat. But science shows that listening to music can sharpen our sense of hearing. While you need to have the music at a respectable volume, using different genres like dance music or jazz can help train our ears. But if you have problems with your hearing and are exhibiting signs of tinnitus it's important to go to a specialist.

For your nose, inhale strong scents

You can engage the receptors in your nose which can improve your sense of smell over time by using a strong sense like grounded coffee beans or essential oils. If you have issues with your sense of smell you may want to try hayfever medication if you haven't done so already. A good quality nasal spray with menthol can help you you to engage your sense of smell again.

For your taste, have a diverse diet

One of the main concerns associated with COVID-19 is the lack of taste and smell afterwards. It could take months for some people to regain their sense of taste again. But you can stimulate your taste buds by adding variety to your diet through incorporating new recipes and spices. It's important to eat fresh ingredients and avoid processed foods because they contain a lot of artificial ingredients that can affect your taste buds.

To improve your sense of touch, focus on mindfulness

You might not think of being able to improve your sense of touch but engaging with what you are touching can help to stimulate a part of your brain associated with sensory recognition. But it's all about being conscious of the thought of touch in everyday circumstances. By focusing on the things you are touching, even though you do these things every day, you are helping to stimulate the brain.

As we get older we may find our senses deteriorating slightly or significantly. But there are things that we can do, not just to minimise damage, but to improve our lives as a result.

*Disclosure: this is a collaborative post*

For lots of couples, getting pregnant is simple and straightforward, however those are the lucky couples. For plenty of couples, getting pregnant isn’t an easy or straightforward process - in fact, it can be downright difficult. When this is the case and getting pregnant isn’t happening as easily as you might have hoped, it can begin to feel like the struggle to conceive is taking over your entire life. This is especially true when the process of getting pregnant takes longer than you expected or doesn’t look how you imagined it would. 

The truth is that when you struggle with your fertility, it can come with a range of emotional impacts for you and your partner. Your concerns about getting pregnant and the state of yours’ and your partner’s fertility can cause stress, panic and even obsessing. It’s also not uncommon for couples who are unsuccessfully trying to conceive to struggle with their mental health due to feelings of depression. 

What it’s important to remember when it comes to your fertility is the fact that you cannot always change your circumstances. However, what you can control is the way in which you face the situation that you’re in, and that is what matters. 

Photo credit: Pixabay

To help you to do that, below are some tips and pieces of advice for making coping when struggling to conceive a little easier. 

Try not to obsess 

It’s oh so easy to obsess about every aspect of getting pregnant, from the two-week wait to do a pregnancy test to the wait to see whether you notice any symptoms of pregnancy starting to develop. However, obsessing isn’t healthy and it’s important to learn not to obsess. Obsessing about getting pregnant will just make coping that much harder. 

Focus on what you love 

Instead of obsessing, try and find a way to get back to doing the things that you love. Of course, this is far easier said than done, but if you want to make coping with struggling to conceive that little bit easier, you need to think about the ways in which you can stop obsessing and start living. That’s why it’s so important that you make time to focus on the things that you love doing - the hobbies that you enjoy and spending time with the people that you love. It might be hard at first but you will feel far better for it. 

Consider your options 

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for over nine months and nothing has happened, then it’s time to start thinking about your options. Your first port of call is to book an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options - the chances are that your doctor will refer you to a fertility clinic for further testing and to look at what your options are if you’re unable to conceive naturally. 

Be open and honest with your partner 

When it comes to coping with your fertility, don’t shut your partner out. Aim to be as open and honest with them as possible. The chances are that they’re feeling exactly the same as you are, which is why it’s important to be open with your feelings and talk about your fertility. You will both feel better for it. 

The truth is that there’s no easy fix when you’re struggling to conceive. However, the steps above can help to make managing your situation and feeling more positive about it, a little easier.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post

Summer 2020 is going to be an odd one, it's going to be so different for our younger ones and us too but some things don't have to change, like the rainy day activities we used to do as kids! Crafting and sewing is something I regularly use to do when I was little, painting and making sequin arts were so much fun for rainy day activities.

LoveCrafts have amazing sets for days just like to this, to get the imagination going as well as learning skills like hand-eye coordination and other artistic skills, the sets include sew your own sloth, Hook and eye rug kits or even paint your own tea set.

LoveCrafts have a whole section dedicated to just kids crafts and there's even a bit for teens too, you'll find lots of different kid-friendly characters like this diamond painting kit with Minnie mouse! how adorable! 

LoveCrafts Kindly gifted us a paint your own tea set and a Sloth felt decoration kit, we had so much fun doing both of the crafts and the tea set went down a hit! we spent the morning painting the tea set with all the paint and brushes provided we set them down to dry and had some lunch, after lunch, they were fully dry and we grabbed some teddys and had a teddy tea party with some real cake too!

So we're teaming up with LoveCrafts and were giving away a £20 voucher to spend at www.lovecrafts.com and all you need to do is enter below via gleam! T's&C's Apply. Good luck!

Lovecratfs

Summer is here and its time for the men in your life you update their wardrobe, but instead of throwing those jean shorts away why not just refresh them with some accessories like a belt or some clip-on braces,

Trendhim have a wide selection of men's accessories including their sunglasses which are the perfect fashion trend and compliment any outfit in summer, Their new folding sunglasses are perfect with their spring hinge frame and sleek design they can fold up and go straight into your pocket or carry case.

If sunglasses are not your thing you could always go for a classic timepiece for that perfect outfit staple, the selection of watches available is incredible and there's one to suit your style. Imagine holding an ice-cold beer at the bar with your classic wristwatch feeling like a million dollars! 

Trendhim have a wide variety of great accessories to spruce up your wardrobe or even just to make a statement and don't forget to have a look through their amazing articles too for great ideas and inspiration!

Well, We're teaming up with Trendhim to give away £50 of products to one lucky winner!! 

All you have to do is enter below via gleam*, GOOD LUCK!

trendhim

*Giveaway ends 26/07/20 11:59pm

Spring and summertime in the UK mean warmer weather and walks in the sunshine for many people, however, it has been estimated that over 10 million people in the UK suffer from hay fever, causing itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, headaches and drowsiness.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

For those who still suffer, despite taking medication and remedies to help fight against the never-ending streaming and sneezing, smart thermostat company tado° has put together eight handy practical steps to minimise exposure and can thus enjoy the summer months.

1.  Keep your home allergen-free. Staying indoors may seem like the best way to manage symptoms of hay fever; however, triggers can also be present in the home. Dust mites, pet hair and indoor moulds can also prompt symptoms, so the indoor environments should be vacuumed and kept as clean as possible as a precaution.*

2. Put your smart thermostat to work. According to WebMD, the pollen count is at its highest between 5-10 am and at dusk, making it better to open the non-bedroom windows during the day to help ventilate the house. If you forget to close the window, giving pollen-free rein, tado°’s Open Window Detection will recognise that a window has been opened due to sudden changes in temperature and switch off the heating or air conditioning for a short time to save energy. You will also receive a notification of this, to remember to close your window, keep the pollen outside and save energy and costs. The smart thermostat from tado° also has a Climate Comfort Skill that is available to all tado° users of the V3 + app which provides insight into the air quality in your home. 

3. Have a shower before going to bed. Not only will a night time shower rid you of all the dirt from the day, it will also wash off any stray pollen. If you have been outside at all during the day during a high pollen count, your hair, skin and clothes will be covered in micro-particles of dust and pollen so a quick shower before bed will help remove these allergens before you sleep, reducing nighttime symptoms.

4. Cut down on caffeine and increase vitamin C intake. If you’re partial to a cup of breakfast tea or an iced coffee, it may be time to cut back. Excess caffeine is thought to increase your body’s histamine levels, intensifying symptoms of hay fever. Foods that are rich in vitamin C are great natural antihistamines, making oranges, grapefruit, red peppers and berries a great option for a snack on days with a high pollen count.**

5. Take local honey and garlic. Start taking a spoonful of local honey as early in the season as possible. The idea is that locally produced honey, made from pollen from local plants, works as a natural vaccine because you eventually become immune to it. Another option is garlic because it is a natural anti-inflammatory and gives your immune system a boost. Crush it, leave it for fifteen minutes and eat it raw, for example in a salad dressing or homemade pesto. The core of pineapple also has an anti-inflammatory effect. ***

6. Use Vaseline around the nose and eyes. Applying a small amount of Vaseline in and around the nostrils helps to catch some of the allergens before they pass into the nose. The jelly works as a barrier to trap pollen before you breathe it in. It also works under the eyes to prevent them from getting runny and itchy too.*

7. Wear wraparound sunglasses. It may not be the coolest look but for those who suffer from itchy, streaming eyes, wraparound sunglasses are a godsend as they stop pollen and allergens making their way directly into your eyes. They can also be effective at protecting your eyes from dust and wind and help to keep them well moisturised.

8. Dry clothes and bedding indoors. Where possible avoiding drying clothes outdoors as the pollen will stick to the clothes or bedding and may cause a reaction later when you wear them. If drying indoors is a problem, then avoid hanging them outside in the early morning and evening when there is more pollen in the air.

Hey Guys And Gals,

I've totally neglected my blog for literally months, I've had so much going on personally and mentally and its just crazy, then on top of that were in this huge pandemic and it seems like its never going to end!!

My house on ACNH

So in November 2019 myself and my husband broke up, it was my choice but a huge one that I've been regretting ever since, and even though we were separated we lived together until he got a place in February 2020, also in that month I got a notice of possession from my landlord to have his house back; I had 2 months to sort a new place to live, pack and move, unfortunately, every house i went for fell through and i was back to square one until the council called offering me a place.

Shortly after i got the call, the announcement for the Covid-19 lockdown started, i got put on furlough from my job, my kids had no school and we couldn't see our loved ones and to be honest its been hell for us! I miss my mum so much it hurts me so bad, i miss my sister and my little nieces, i miss seeing my best friend with her little boy and the school run! (never thought id say that lol) So after all of that, i knew i wouldn't be in my new place for at least a little while :( and now my house looks like a bomb site of cardboard and black bags haha

So its been about 11 weeks since good ol' Borris announced the 3-week lockdown and although im happy we're safe and healthy im bored as shit!!

The only person i see regularly is mike (my ex-husband) when he see's our boy and my mum through my window once a week when she drops off Olli's nappies! 

Anywho, i had been suffering bad with my mental health alot since my break up, my sister sent me a really good deal to buy the Nintendo Switch and i was so excited that i bought it, along with Animal Crossing New Horizons and i have to say its been my saviour, i've felt amazing playing this game, i've been able to virtually visit my sister and make new friends that share my love for this game!

So with so much going on and my head not being in the right frame of mind i haven't blogged at all and i feel so crap about it because i feel like im letting you down, but i promise i will be back to it and i will be creating some great content for you so soon!

if you've read this far then you must be so bored and i feel ya there! i hope we all stay safe and healthy and i'll see you soon!

Vic x

When you’re planning on bringing home a baby you spend months if not years making the preparations mentally and physically but when it comes to bringing home a puppy it can often be done on a whim. This means that there is no preparation in place and you find yourself playing catch up for the first few weeks or even months. 

Photo by Torsten Dettlaff from Pexels

Even simple things like the lack of a crate, puppy pen or puppy training pads can make housetraining impossible and stressful. 

A clever dog owner-to-be will but a lot of effort into their pre-puppy preparations. Not only can it add the excitement and allow you to prepare as a family it also means you are giving your puppy the best start with any introductions into your home.  

The preparations you need to make fall into three categories: 

• Equipment and Supplies

• Sevices

• Routines and House Rules

Let’s have a look at them in more detail below: 

Supplies and Equipment

You may think it’s as simple as having a food bowl and a dog bed before you bring home your puppy, however, there is a lot of things you need to source in order to keep your new puppy comfortable and happy while he learns and becomes part of the family. It’s a good to source everything you need before you bring them home, this way you won’t be left making a mad dash to the store and risking not being able to get what you need. Places like Time for Paws have everything you need all in one place. 

Some items to add to your list include: 

• Crate

• Puppy pen/exercise pen

• Tether

• Collar, ID tag, leash, and harness.

• Seat belt

• Clicker

• Treats

• Longline

• Toys

• Balls, interactive toys, fetch toys.

• Grooming tools

• House cleaning tools

Services 

Before your puppy even arrives with you, it’s a good idea to research all the nearby puppy service requirements. This way you are well informed and organized for things like arranging puppy training or their first trip to the vet. Have a look at references, take recommendations from friends, and find the right services for you.

Some to consider include: 

• Vets

• Grooming 

• Puppy Classes

• Socializing 

House Rules and Routines

Routines and rules are important in your household, especially if there are children living there. In order to integrate your new puppy to your home it’s important to create a set of rules and a new routine that includes the care and attention that the new puppy is going to require. 

Think about things like: 

Your regular routine, getting up, working hours and bedtime, etc

Feeding times 

Grooming schedule

Daily exercise 

Veterinary trips 

Weekly puppy class

Always remember that you new puppy will need to fit into your routine as well as you ensuring you have the time to provide the care that they need. If you aren’t likely to have someone at home for the majority of the day then introducing a new dog may not be the right thing to do. 

It might sound like a lot to think about, however, with some careful consideration and planning, you should be well on your way to being ready to introduce a new puppy to your family home. Have you introduced a puppy to your home? What did you do to prepare? 

When everyone’s at home, kitchens see a lot more action than normal. Having a huge family kitchen is the absolute ideal, but relatively few of us have that luxury. Finding ways to make a small kitchen work for all the family can seem impossible, but is less of a challenge than you may think.

IMAGE FROM PEXELS

Clear the Worktops

Worktops are the kitchen’s prime real estate, yet we tend to clutter them up with all kinds of equipment that rarely gets used. From food processors to bread makers, if you’re not regularly using a piece of equipment in your kitchen, pack it away and put it somewhere else. If you decide you don’t really miss it, you could consider putting it all into self storage and make clutter-free counters a permanent feature in your kitchen.

Having an uncluttered expanse of counter space gives you more room for food prep and cooking, as well as space for writing shopping lists or more creative activities. Meal preparation is an especially good bonding activity for families. Having space for children to help with simple tasks or for partners to share the veg chopping makes meal times more of a fun event. But don’t forget to get them to help with clearing up and washing dishes too!

Clear the Cupboards and Cabinets

Dig deep into kitchen cabinets and get rid of everything that’s either out of date or that you know isn’t going to get eaten. If you have spare storage tubs, decant the contents of bulky boxes into them. Foods such as cereals, rice, pasta and flour all store more compactly when they’re in stackable tubs or containers. They stay fresh, plus you can see at a glance when you need to replenish supplies.

As well as food storage, certain items of crockery such as mugs can be stored elsewhere. If you have hooks, consider hanging them beneath the wall cabinets to free up more cupboard space. 

Do you keep some dinnerware for best? The stuff that only gets used for special occasions or celebrations can be kept safe and pristine in a self storage unit. Put it to one side and research your storage options because in a small kitchen, the space you have is best used for everyday items.

Find Hidden Storage Spaces and Use Walls

Some of these spaces exist in all kitchens, but we don’t always think of them as storage areas. They include:

• The ends of cabinets. Install a narrow shelf for small bottles and containers or cookbooks, or just a rail for tea towels or oven gloves.
• Inside cabinet doors. Paint them with chalkboard paint for quick todo lists or shopping lists, or put up a magnetic notice board for cut-out recipes and other paper clutter.
• Install pan lid holders so you don’t have to rummage among the saucepans for the right lid. While you’re at it, put aside the pans you either never use or only use infrequently, such as turkey roasters or massive jam pots. Those things are ideal candidates for self storage lockers or rooms as they take up lots of space for little everyday return.
• As well as cabinet ends and doors, use your walls. Hang a pegboard to hold utensils, or use it as a decorative feature to hang small plants or to pin up the kid’s artwork.

All of these ideas will help you make the most of your space and create a more airy feeling. With a little ingenuity and imagination small family kitchens can be just as much a central family hub as larger ones. 

There’s no-one who would deny that a parent cares deeply about their child’s education. However, there are many who simply don’t know how to best represent their child’s interests and intervene, when necessary, to make sure that they’re getting the best education possible. As such, here are a few tips to help you be your child’s advocate at school if you’re feeling a little lost.

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Understand how the school runs

Schools run on budgets, they run on curriculums, and they run on a limited amount of time and ratio of teachers to students. As such, it’s a good idea to get involved with parent-teacher meetings as run by PTA.co.uk, both to better understand how the school uses the resources it gets, to have a say in that, and to help raise the funds that can improve school life not just for your child but for the whole school. Being more closely involved with aiding the school helps you build a collaborative relationship with them, rather than a combative one.

Get to know the department personally

You cannot get an accurate picture of your child’s education simply by seeing what homework they bring with them and what they say about the school. Every parent should make an effort to learn what they can about the department educating their child and to visit it personally, as recommended at Leicesterhigh.co.uk. That way, you can see the kind of education environment they are in, the culture amongst the students (such as how polite and energetic they are), and get to meet their teachers personally.

Make sure they have the space to continue at home

Homework is the part of the education experience that sees the student continuing their learning in their own time. It should be given as much focus and importance as it needs. It’s not just a chore for them to do when they get home, it’s essential to their education. As such, make sure your child has all the time, space, and support as they require to do their homework and be there to help them engage in it better if possible. Just make sure you don’t end up doing it for them.

Be prepared for meetings

Don’t simply go to parent-teacher meetings expecting to hear a report on your child. If you’re paying attention to their education, prepare your own questions. Be ready to ask about their progress, what difficulties the teacher has identified, and if there is anything they can recommend you do to help at home. It’s a good idea to bring a partner or a friend with you, especially if you’re meeting multiple teachers at once, as it can be pretty daunting. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a little support.

The vast majority of teachers in the vast majority of schools do have your child’s interests at heart. It would be a miserable job for them if they did not. However, as the parent, it’s your responsibility to speak up when necessary too.

(Image Source)

Communication has long played a vital role in human society. Without this simple but effective tool, it would be impossible for people to organise in groups of thousands, and even harder for a connected world to keep moving forwards. Of course, though, the challenge of speech and communication is often a much more personal one than something widespread. A lot of children find it hard to speak and get themselves understood, but this is something parents are able to change, and this post is going to show you how to do it for your own child.

The Source

Finding the source of your child’s challenges will be one of the most important parts of this process. If they simply haven’t learned enough words, for example, you can begin by teaching them words which they haven’t seen before. In other cases, challenges with communication can be much deeper, with conditions like autism often presenting communication issues in children. It’s crucial that you understand the source of your child’s communication struggles, even if this means taking them to talk to professionals.

New Ways To Communicate

People often only think of speech when they are considering human communication, though there is a whole lot more which goes into this than simply making noises. Facial expressions, hand signals, and even writing can all be used to communicate, and this makes it worth teaching your child about things like Augmentative or Alternative Communication. While this won’t improve their speech, it will give them a much better understanding of communication in general, ultimately making them better at communicating with their peers.

Challenge Them

Many parents ignore the fact that they have the chance to improve their child’s communication skills as they grow up. It is far too easy to change the way you speak to make things easy for your child, never giving them a challenge and making it feel like communication is always easy. In reality, though, challenging your child can be one of the best ways to overcome issues like this. You can ask them normal questions in weird ways, use words which they won’t understand but will be able to break apart, and give them plenty to read which is above their level. These challenges shouldn’t be impossible, but they also shouldn’t be really easy.

Be Honest

While it might be cute when your child struggles to get their point across, it won’t help them very much if you ignore this sort of issue and simply live with it. It’s worth being honest with your child, telling them when you think they have things to improve, and correcting them when they make big communication errors. This can also be helpful if they have issues with other children, with the whole process making them into better communicators.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of helping your child to communicate as best they can as they grow up. Many parents struggle with this, only to find that the steps they need to take are easier than they thought.

Image from Pixabay - Pixabay License

A beach holiday is perfect for families. Whether you choose to have a seaside holiday in the UK or you want to escape to somewhere warmer, taking your kids to the beach gives them lots of things to do. From eating ice cream to playing in the sea, you can visit the beach every day, and the kids won't get bored. There are various types of beaches, although most people want a sandy beach, especially when visiting somewhere with a lot of sunshine. If you've decided that a beach holiday is ideal for your family, take a look at these tips for planning your trip.

Choose a Resort or Go Freestyle?

With a destination in mind, deciding where to stay is the next step. In most beach locations, you will be able to find resort accommodation, or you might want to have more control over your surroundings, activities, and more. Staying in a resort can give you the option of an all-inclusive holiday, which might help you to save money. However, it can also mean you have to stick to what's on offer in the resort, from the beach to places to eat and drink. You can also book a hotel or self-catered accommodation elsewhere if you want to have a less structured holiday.

Look for Fun Activities

It's easy to make your own fun on the beach with children. Buckets and spades for sandcastles, nets for exploring rock pools and balls, bats and rackets are fun are all good things to take to the beach with you. Of course, you can also spend time paddling and swimming in the sea. But if you want some more activities, look for some things that you can book or join in with when you arrive at the beach. Lots of beach resorts will offer a range of activities, but you can also find independent providers for activities and events.

Think About Safety in the Sea and Sun

Staying safe on the beach should be a priority for everyone. You need to consider protecting everyone from the sun, as well as ensuring everyone is safe in the sea. One thing that can help with both is getting wetsuits for the kids. Flyer Diaries recommends the best kids wetsuits for both surfing and playing in the sea. You can check out their post for ideas on which ones to buy. Sunscreen is a must to protect everyone's skin, and you should also cover up to prevent sunburn. If you claim a spot on the beach, create some shade with a parasol or shelter. As for spending time in the sea, pay attention to beach flags and signs, and choose a safe beach. Some beaches will have lifeguards during busy months.

Image from Pixabay - Pixabay License

Getting Comfortable on the Beach

The beach can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a little uncomfortable sometimes too. Setting up a comfortable spot on the beach can help to make your holiday fun each day you visit. Large beach towels or a blanket is perfect for sitting on, or you might want to consider chairs to sit on too. As mentioned above, something to create some shade is helpful if there aren't already shaded spaces on the beach. You should also think about staying hydrated by taking plenty of water with you, as well as whether you might need to take food with you.

Find Fun Off the Beach

Even the most enthusiastic beach fans probably don't want to spend all of their time on the beach. There are things to do away from the beach too so that no one will get bored. Just finding places to get food and drinks can help to mix things up, but there are other things to do too. What's available will depend on where you decide to go on holiday and perhaps what forms of transport you have available too.

Packing for the Trip

Packing for a beach trip can involve more than you might think. There can be a lot to take to the beach when you're packing for your whole family. You need to make sure you have everything to keep everyone safe and happy on the beach, plus all of the usual holiday essentials. It's a good idea to start off with a list of things that you want to take with you to make sure you pack it all.

Your family can have fun on the beach every day when you plan your holiday perfectly. Think about everything you might need but also how to make it fun for everyone.