5 Ways To Prepare Your Life For Kids

It might seem like a hazy idea on the horizon that you’d like to have kids someday. But does your heart
skip a beat at the thought of the organization levels involved to prepare your life for a new addition? Try
not to panic, as here are some simple tips for you to sail into parenthood with your sanity (hopefully)
intact. 

Pexels-CC0 Licence

Get The Right Car

The first question is can you drive? If you haven’t experienced the joys of driving, search
'more info on driving test’ to find out about how you can get in the car and get moving. The second
question is whether you have a child-friendly vehicle. It doesn’t have to be a 7-seater kid mobile, but if
you have a flashy two-seater on a lease scheme, it might be time to consider trading it in for a four-door
if you’ve got kids on the horizon.

Rearrange Your Finances

You might think that your finances are in pretty good shape. But remember, your little bundle of joy will be
a massive gain to your life, but might mean a slight hit to your finances. If possible, try to build a cushion
of 3 or so months of expenses to ease the financial stress of a new arrival. At the very least try and
reduce your debts so you’re not adding to the build-up.

Think About Work

It’s inevitable that both you and your partner will spend some time away from work when your new arrival
first arrives. If you’re planning a little way ahead it could be worth reevaluating your career options. Is this
what you really want to do? It might be worth making a career change if you aren’t happy, so you have
enough time to settle into a new role before planning for kids. 

Pexels-CC0 Licence

Consider Your Support Network

Many parents might not have the benefit of going down to one salary, and need to rely on close relatives
at least one day a week. Consider your network and who could potentially provide that support for you. If
that’s not an option and you find out you’re expecting, take the time to explore mother and baby classes so
you can spend time with new parents in a similar position to you.

Don’t Overplan

You’ve done everything you can to reduce stress, so now it’s time to live your life without overthinking the
journey to parenthood. Every new parent will find themselves in the same position, wondering what they’re
doing, or if they’re ready. Try to enjoy the journey and don’t let the decision to have kids stop you from
taking risks in your career or making new decisions.

Taking the above steps will reduce the strain on your finances and get you thinking realistically about the
future. Parenthood is meant to be a joy, but can also be a slog (of love, but still). So here’s to the future and
embarking on the fun ride that is having children with as little stress as possible.

5 Valentine’s Day Dates for Outdoorsy Couples

During the summer, outdoorsy couples have it easy. Rather than veg out at a movie theatre or pig out at a
restaurant, you can simply take off to the great outdoors for your dates, with nature as your entertainment
and a picnic as your meal. There are numerous outdoor sports and activities you to try, and you never need
to give a second thought to staying warm or comfortable. 

This all changes in the winter, though. As the temperature drops, your options for outdoor dates become
increasingly limited. Unfortunately, the winter also coincides with the most romantic date of the entire year –
Valentine’s Day. 

That’s not to say you can’t have a great time doing something outdoorsy for Valentine’s Day. You just have
to pick the right activity, plan ahead and stay warm (that last part shouldn’t be hard on Valentine’s Day!) For
a little inspiration, read these five entries, each real Valentine’s Day activities that couples have tried, and
loved.  

Ice Fishing

If you’re anywhere in the vicinity of a frozen lake, chances are there’s ice fishing available. There are fewer
outdoor activities more intimate than ice fishing – sitting in a tiny, warmed cabin on the middle of an isolated
lake, drinking schnapps for warmth and waiting for a tug on the line. It’s that rare outdoor winter activity
that’s actually romantic. 

Winter Camping

Who says camping belongs entirely to the summer? Sure, winter camping takes a little more planning
(figuring out how to keep warm, primarily), but it’s worth it for the beautiful, glacial scenery and the
satisfaction you get from braving the elements. To make things a little easier, forego the tent and go
“vanping”, which is essentially just camping, only you sleep in the back of a van. 

Axe Throwing

While not technically an outdoor activity, axe throwing is, nevertheless, an outdoorsy activity. And it just so
happens to be a fantastic date spot. Rather than shuffle around in your winter coats on Valentine’s Day,
settle in to an indoor competition, pitting you and your Valentine against one another to see whose axe
throwing aim is better. Don’t worry if you’ve never tried it before – booking an axe throwing date, which you
can do when you click here and reserve, comes with a free introductory tutorial. 

A Winter Picnic

Swap the summer lemonade for a thermos full of hot chocolate, and you’ve got yourself a winter picnic.
Bundle up in your warmest clothes, choose a secluded spot at a nearby park, and enjoy a winter picnic.
If you really want to keep warm, you can prep hot food in advance and carry it in an insulated cooler (which
is just as good at retaining heat as it is keeping outside heat away!)  

Curling

Another indoor sport that nevertheless captures the winter spirit, curling is like the low key lovechild of
bowling and hockey. If you’re unfamiliar with this northern sport, this YouTube series should explain
everything. Once you get the hang of it, it’s an addictive sport that’s perfect for a winter date. 

Just because Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of winter, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little outdoorsy
fun.

What To Do When You Struggle With Creativity In Your Online Business

When it comes to natural gifts, I was blessed with many. For example, I am naturally a great speller, and I am really good at cleaning and organizing. I can plan and schedule like nobody's business, and I am pretty great at problem solving, if I do say so myself! However, one of the things that I was definitely NOT blessed with when it comes to natural talents is creativity. Creative is not in my vocabulary, artsy is not something that has EVER been said about me, and great at design is definitely NOT something I'm adding to my resume.

When it comes to anything creative or artistic, I have ZERO hope. I cannot decorate to save my life, I am not a "let's wing it" kind of gal when it comes to recipes, and you can go ahead and give it up when it comes to being artsy or crafty in any sort of way. Luckily, I have learned many tips and tricks to get around this one pitfall of being me. For example, I can find some super cute pre-made cupcakes at my local bakery to get me around bake sale issues, and Pinterest has been heaven sent when it comes to how to hang photos on my walls or put together cute outfits. It's great that we live in a time where there are so many great resources out there to help with creative design needs.

Another great thing that I have found that can help me out when I am needing to be a little bit creative are websites that can help me to get digital items for my website. I know a lot of other bloggers out there are super creative and are able to come up with things on their own, but for me, having a go to website where I can find a certain template, mockup or photo whenever I need it. It is a really great feeling to have these things right at my fingertips!

One of my favorite websites for this sort of thing has been Design Bundles. I love that Design Bundles is a clean, organized website where I can simply and easily find everything I am looking for, whether it be for my blog or for one of my many side hustles. For example, I have recently been looking for a few mockups to use for the holidays. There is NO way I could ever come up with something creative and cute on my own, so I am so happy that Design Bundles is here for me! Hang on, I'll show you guys a few of my very favorite holiday mockups that I have my eye on right now:

I mean really, aren't these mockups the cutest? What do you guys think? Which one is your very favorite? I love the one with the white Christmas tree and the chair! It's adorable! It's not just mockups either, this site has tons of stuff, whether you are looking for amazing business card templates or SVG's to make something awesome! They even have super high quality photos that are affordable, if photography is not your strong point! (Like me!) So, if you are looking for some kind of inspiration for your creative needs, definitely check out this site to find everything you will need! Leave me a comment below and let me know what you struggle with most when it comes to creativity- for me, photos are definitely one of the big things! 

How To Get Your Children Outdoors More Often

With so many of our households relying on technology and using it in some form every waking
hour, it can easily be something that your children rely on too much, and they miss out on things
that you might have done as a child, and that didn’t need electronics like board games for
example. Here are some tips to get your children outdoors more often.

Image Source

Take Them To A Local Park

The local park is a perfect place to encourage a bit of outdoor fun, and there will likely be one or
two near you. It’s a great opportunity to get them interested in the local area that surrounds
them, and usually, these parks will have swings and other play areas that are worth using. Make
this a regular thing that they can end up enjoying alone when they’re a little older. It’s always
good to scope out the park itself to ensure that it’s safe enough and that no one is loitering
around that shouldn’t be. It’s great as an adult to go back to a park and live out that nostalgic
time but now with your own children.

Organize Days Out With Fellow Parents

A family day out is always a good opportunity to get away from the home where all the
electronics are and make it a no-screen day. Fellow parents that you know may wish to organize
something together, like a trip to a soft obstacles playground or maybe going to the zoo. Set up a
group and take it in turns to organize something fun for your children to get involved with. They
don’t need to be anything too wild but giving your children something to do that doesn’t involve
an iPad or a mobile phone is important. There are plenty of opportunities to see cute animals at
the zoo and campingfunzone.com has a few pictures of some adorable animals that you might
see at yours.

Have Limited Screen Time

Screen time is very important to limit when you can because it can be very easy to let that
screen time go on and on for hours at a time. And although that may keep them entertained, it’s a
good idea to limit it so that they don’t always rely on it to relieve their boredom. They should also
be taking advantage of playing with toys and creating mud pies in the yard. Try to be strict with
limiting screen time and ensure that they’re getting homework done before having fun.

Go Out And Play With Them

Sometimes outdoor play can be boring, particularly when they’re on their own or feeling left out.
Give yourself a break from work and the internet too and get outside to play with your kids. You
only have them around for so long, so it’s important you’re making time for them.

Get your children outdoors more often with trips to the park and cutting back on screen time so
that they don’t rely on it as much as possible.

When You Can't Help Your Kids With Their Math Homework Anymore

Well, you guys, it is officially here. The time has come when I am no longer able to help ANY of my kids with their math homework. I mean, my 8th graders, they stopped asking me for homework help LONG ago, when it was apparent that their math skills were far superior to mine, even though I am 20ish years older than they are! But, I still had a tiny bit of pride because I was still able to help my tiny guy with his math!

Now, he is in 4th grade, and let's just say, not so much. I am no longer able to help him with his math homework. I mean, maybe I can take my calculator and come up with the actual answer that he is looking for, but as for HOW to get to that answer, the way they do math these days is the most complicated thing I have ever seen! Let's just say that this "new school" math is DEFINITELY NOT mommy's strong point!

However, just because I don't understand my kid's math homework these days doesn't mean that I can just turn my back on them and not give them help if they need it. I have been able to show them some really helpful YouTube videos which have been able to explain things to them much better than I can, and sometimes they even have tutoring sessions at their school, which is really nice. Plus, I do have my older two kids who are usually able to help my little one out with his schoolwork and homework, even if they sigh dramatically about 2904 times while they do it, since, you know they have SO many more important things to do!

What about you guys? Are you still able to help your kids with their math homework or are those days way behind for you guys too? Have you been able to get maths tutoring from Tavistock Tutors  or do you just wing it on your own? I am looking for any help or advice you guys might be able to give me and I am open to any and all suggestions! (Except telling me to actually LEARN how to do today's math, that is WAY too hard for me!) Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts are on helping your kids with their homework when it has gotten way past what you understand, and let me know your tips and tricks so maybe I can try some of them too!

Looking For Love? Online Is Now The Place To Be!

While there are tons of great aspects of being single (not fighting over the TV remote, and never compromising on dinner choices, just to name a few!), it really sometimes is great to be in a relationship. Being comfortable with your person, hanging out watching tv with no makeup on and your ratty old sweats can really be fun sometimes too! These days, the most common place to meet your significant other is online! It seems a little bit crazy to think when you consider that just a few years ago, people were super scared and apprehensive to meet dates online, and now, it is super commonplace!

There really are so many places that you can go if you want to meet a date online. Whether or not you go to a Los Angeles dating site, a Birmingham Dating Site, or a Tampa dating site, there are plenty of places out there to meet someone. There are even dating sites out there for people who like certain sports teams, people who are in a certain age range, people who work in certain industries, or who like certain activities. There really are options out there for just about everyone, so if you are tired of being single, don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

You don't even have to choose one dating site, you can sign yourself up for multiple starts until you find one that you like and one that you are comfortable on. Different sites might have different feels and different types of people on each one of them, and you will have to sort of feel them out and see which one is the best fit for you.

Here are some things to remember when you are choosing which dating site you would like to sign up for:

• Free Versus Paid Sites. Some dating sites and apps are free and some of them charge a monthly or yearly fee. You will have to decide if you are willing to invest some money into a dating site or if you are looking for something free. 
• Do you want a religious specific experience? If you are a really religious person, you might want to seek out a specific website designed for like minded folks. There are many of these types of sites and apps out there that can make sure the people you are meeting have the same beliefs and values that you do. 
• Are you over a certain age? If you are over age 50, you might be interested in a dating app or website that is made just for seniors. Some people like the idea of only dating others in their age range, and if that applies to you, there are definitely sites out there for you.

As you can see, there is so much to think about when it comes to choosing the perfect dating app or website for you! The most important thing to remember is to just have fun! Meeting the right person is supposed to be a fun experience, so definitely keep that in mind and do not put too much pressure on yourself! Enjoy the experience and best of luck finding the perfect match for you! 

Deciding To Become A Freelancer? It Doesn't Have To Be Difficult

There is a possibility that you’re sat at your office desk this moment, reading this and watching the clock
tick down until five o'clock comes around. Or perhaps you’re sat at home after work thinking about the
impending work day ahead and becoming nervous about the amount of work there is to do and how many
reports or feedback your boss wants to see. It doesn’t have to be like this, there is another way to improve
your career for the better and it all starts with you. 

Taking your job to the next level doesn’t have to be difficult - whatever job you do now could be a job that
you could take freelance. From interior designer, clothing maker, digital marketer, or even a lawyer. If you
have the credentials and you know you’re good at what you do, then there’s a chance you become
freelance. Even some doctors goes freelance today and there can be a lot of money to make, without
having to let your boss and the company you work for take all the credit for it. Working for yourself comes
with risk and there is certainly a thought that must go into any decision before you choose to adopt this new
way of life but when you look at the Roving Foleys, you can see that this is an achievable lifestyle. 

Photo: Pixabay

You are going to have to start being your own boss if you’re self employed, which means starting to be
strict with yourself and setting yourself goals, boundaries and ensuring you’re hitting the right amount of
work hours - perhaps these can be less hours but you can work better. Long hours in the office can actually
stop workers from working as efficiently because they often get tired and even bored spending long hours
at a computer screen. It can make your eyes tired and heavy and the work isn't the standard it could be.
Work out your ideal hours a week and if in that time you can achieve the work you need to make a decent
living wage. Work out how much tax you’re likely to pay, how it will affect all aspects of your income including
your rent and your insurances. That way you can start making the decision about taking the next step. What
will you need to buy in order to have your business run from home. If you are a physiotherapist, do you
need any equipment? If you work in the digital world, do you have a good enough laptop that will work well
all year round? Minor things such as this can help you decide the costs of going freelance, but you may be
surprised. 

If you want to travel as you work, there are ways to do this, even with a family, but you must ensure that
you’re making the right decision for yourself at this time. So start making lists of what you want, start
planning where you see yourself in one year, two years and even five years and look at how you can
achieve this. Making the switch over from 9-5 to freelancer life is daunting, but it can be equally as
rewarding. 

Keeping Your Marriage Strong While Raising The Kids: It Is Possible

(Pixabay CC0)

Raising kids isn't easy, and despite the many blessings they can offer you, there have probably been

times when they have caused friction within your married relationship.

Busyness can take over quality 1:1 time with your partner, as with the never-ending cycle of school runs,

after-school clubs, swimming lessons, and the various parenting demands that you regularly encounter,

you might not have a lot of time to spend together. 

Weekends will probably be spent trying to entertain your children instead of finding ways to entertain

yourself and your partner.

And you might experience arguments when there is disagreement on how best to raise the kids, or on

other matters that pertain to family life.

Such is life, you might assume, but you need to beware. Many marriages run cold when little is done to

renew the flames of passion and love within the relationship, and this can sometimes lead to separation

and divorce.

Don't let this happen to you. 

It is possible to keep your marriage strong, despite having kids, so you shouldn't have to suffer the

consequences of marital stress and the prospect of divorce mediation.

Focus on these two things within your relationship.

#1: Allow time for each other

Yes, your children will take up a lot of your time, but they don't have to an ever-present part of your

schedule. Make time for date nights with your partner. Send the children to their grandparents for the

occasional weekend. And when your children are in bed, cuddle up close with your partner and enjoy

quality time together. 

You should also make an effort to be less busy within those aspects of your schedule that don't pertain

to family life. So, place the needs of your relationship over time spent with friends. Don't bring your work

home with you of an evening on a regular basis. And while you do need to have your own hobbies, don't

focus on them at the expense of your marriage.

By taking steps to spend more time together, you will have the opportunity to talk to each other, have fun

together, and even flirt, kiss, and cuddle with one another. Love will surely blossom.

#2: Forgive each other

There will be times when one or both of you say things that are later regretted. It could be something

said in the heat of the moment, or it could be something that is unleashed after holding pent-up

resentments. In some cases, the subject of your children could be the cause of the hurtful words that are

said, although there are bound to be a hundred other things within your lives that could cause anger and

frustration.

Words will be said, and doors will be slammed, and this can be expected in any relationship. However,

don't let disagreements fester. As soon as it is appropriate, talk to one another, figure out what went

wrong together, and make every effort to forgive each other. It's easier said than done, we know, but for

the benefit of your marriage, every effort must be made. 

There is some excellent advice here on forgiveness in relationships, so have a read and remember the

points made the next time you and your partner come to blows. 

Married life can be tough, and so can parenting children. However, one shouldn't come at the expense

of the other, so consider our advice. And if you have any other tips for our readers, perhaps based on

your personal experiences, be sure to share your suggestions with us.

How Busy Moms Can Stay on Top of Their Skincare Game 

Whether they choose to stay home or juggle work and children, mothers are always busy taking care of others
and rarely find time for themselves. Self-care is sometimes limited to basic human needs, like eating and
sleeping. Yet, every mom should have the luxury to pamper herself for all of the hard work she gets done daily.
Even if there are only five minutes to spare, a little care goes a long way. 

Coconut oil
Coconut oil is one of those items that every mother should have in their cabinet. Besides being a healthy cooking
oil, this product can be used in a variety of ways outside of the kitchen. Its antibacterial properties make it an
excellent cleanser. Infuse coconut oil in your homemade face wash and body scrubs to get rid of acne breakouts.

Or, create a simple hair mask to get rid of a dry scalp and dandruff. Because coconut oil is made of saturated fats,
it makes for a great moisturizer, too. You can use it by itself to soften dry hands and feet. Or, you can combine it
with essential oils and massage it all over your body. Coconut oil has even been known to reduce the appearance
of stretch marks when used regularly.

Homemade facials
So now that your skin has found that healthy glow, it’s about maintenance. Again, not every mom can just dash out
the door to the spa for regular pampering. 

So, bring the spa home. Whether you can set aside a few hours on a Sunday afternoon or a few minutes at night,
make sure to schedule some time for routine facials. There are plenty of recipes online for homemade face masks
and body scrubs that you can customize to fit your skin needs.

Spa services, but at home
Now, facials are not the only spa service busy moms can indulge in. With the right device, they can also enjoy
spa-level permanent hair removal at home. Removing unwanted hair is something some mothers have to do daily,
which when you think about it, can be quite tedious. Stay on top of your skincare game by using an
at home permanent hair removal system instead. 

The best devices only use FDA-cleared technology, just like in luxurious spas. Also, it is not as time-consuming as it
sounds. In the amount of time it takes to watch an episode of your favorite Netflix show, you can give yourself a
hair removal treatment.

Double-duty make-up
One of the beauty world’s secrets is multi-purpose make-up. Water-based blushes can also be used as lip gloss.
Some companies have marketed the eye, lip and brow pencil combo. And almost all beauty brands have blended
foundation with tinted moisturizer. Your make-up routine just got cut down, but you still look amazing.

If you’re concerned about not having enough time, keep in mind that these simple indulgences can be done when
ever you can sneak in a few minutes to yourself. Being a mother is difficult enough. Don’t make it harder on
yourself by not treating your body right. Enjoy!