Monthly Archives: September 2015

The Importance of Forming Eco-Friendly Habits During Childhood

President Obama was in Alaska recently discussing the issues of climate change and energy conservation. He noted that we all needed to make changes so that our children won’t inherit a world that’s beyond fixing. But the fact of the matter is, kids already play a role in the health of our environment, and it will only get bigger as they get older.

All of us, including the littlest family members, can do our part to make life a little more eco-friendly. And studies show starting at a young age is the best way to get kids on board with living green.

Childhood Habits Stick Around for Life

Like food choices and exercise, the lifestyle habits that our little ones create when they are young will likely stick with them for life. Recent studies funded by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that children can begin forming habits as early as infancy. These habits are likely to stick with a child throughout most of their life. The moral of the story is, the earlier you expose your kids to an eco-friendly lifestyle the better.

Now you may be thinking that your baby is still a little ways away from understanding how recycling differs from the regular trash. While this is true, they are still paying attention to your every move. In the early stages of life they are mirroring what they see you doing. Clearly people at the National Institutes of Health have kids because they have also noted that children don’t create habits on their own. It’s up to the family unit to set a good example and be consistent so that eco-friendly choices at home become second nature.

By teaching our kids to live a green lifestyle early on they’ll be more conscious of how their actions impact the world around them. They’ll also be super motivated to help others green up the way they live so that the cycle continues.

Eco-Friendly Habits All Kids Can Learn

Doctors at the University of Buffalo suggest that parents create an environment at home that supports healthy habits. With the right oversight and information kids of all ages can begin learning to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Recycling

One of the biggest impacts consumers can make is choosing to recycle rather than throw everything out in the garbage. Make this easy for kids by keeping a dedicated recycling container in your home. Explain to them what can and can’t go in the recycling, then for the next week or so monitor what they’re throwing out. You can even turn it into a game by having little ones select what goes into the trash versus the recycling after each meal.

Choose an Energy Plan Together

The more kids understand the way energy works and how it’s supplied to their home the easier it will be to help them understand why it can’t be taken for granted. If you live in a deregulated area you can choose your electric provider. This is a great opportunity to get your kids involved by letting them help you pick a provider and plan. They can get a better understanding of the costs and how some providers like EPCOR use renewable resources to create energy.

Unplugging

Keeping lights on when they aren’t needed and keeping electronics plugged in when they aren’t being used can be a serious electricity drain. Vampire energy can add up to 10% of a household’s electric bill. Kids can learn the importance of turning electronics and lights off by making it one of their daily chores. For example, make it a chore that each night before bed they have to check all electronics and lights in their room to make sure they are off and unplugged. You can make this even easier by using a smart power strip that cuts off power to multiple devices at once.

Wasting Less Food

Food waste is the second largest component of landfills. As it rots it releases methane into the environment. Not to mention the eco-footprint of food that has to be packaged and shipped. Kids have no idea how big an impact they make when they toss food out that’s half eaten. Time for composting! Set up a composting station and teach your kids what can be thrown out. Put the composter next to the recycling and regular garbage can so that they are always reminded that there are three places to put waste.

When Might Divorce Be A Good Thing?

For most people, their wedding day is the most important day of their lives, apart from the birth pf their children. Marriages are such a beautiful thing that the thought of ending one makes some people shudder at the thought. Of course, in a perfect world we would find a partner and stay with them forever. However, this is not a Disney movie, and some people do not find their happily ever after at the first time of asking. It is inevitable that some marriages will breakdown, and that is a sad thought. However, it is also a necessary one in certain cases.

You Are No Longer In Love

Getting a divorce for the sake of love sounds like a selfish concept, and it is to a degree. When you get married and have kids, there are other people you have to think about, mainly the kids. Children can be affected by the breakdown of their parents’ marriage because they struggle to understand the concept. But, in the long run, your kids will be able to come to terms with the decision. And, you and your partner can free yourself from a potentially unhealthy and toxic situation.

For The Sake Of The Kids

As we have already touched on, most people might think it is better to stay together for the kids. That way, there is no chance of unsettling them and making them unhappy. Children, however, are far more perceptive than many parents give them credit. Yes, they love the fact that their mum and dad are together, but only when they are happy. If the atmosphere at home because miserable and depressing, it will affect their lives. For the sake of your kids, it is sometimes better to get a divorce and start afresh.

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You Cannot Love Yourself

Sometimes, it is hard enough to love yourself. There are people in the world who fight a daily battle against confidence and self-esteem and lose. And the sad thing is that some people just don’t have enough love for another person at that juncture in their life. Although marriage is a two-way street, and your partner loves you for who you are, you need to reciprocate. When you cannot reciprocate the feelings that are essential for a marriage to work, it might be time to take a break and think about the future.

Got Hitched Too Soon

There are plenty of examples of people falling in love and moving too soon. In fact, there will continue to be plenty of examples because love is impulsive. Hopefully, a marriage like this will work in the end. But, because you are learning about each other on the job, these marriages can become suffocating. Unfortunately, when you make an impulsive mistake as big as this one, there is only one option: get in touch with family law services.

Now that we live in the twenty-first century, there is nothing wrong with getting a divorce. If you have given it your all but it still doesn’t work, you might have to throw in the towel for the sake of your family.

Planning a Trip to Miami

Miami is a mecca of many things and it’s enough to make any first time visitor’s head spin. The first step is to relax and realize you won’t be able to do everything—however, you can still have the trip of a lifetime when visiting Miami, Florida. There’s something for everyone in this iconic city, whether you’re looking to soak up the sun on the beach, dance the night away, or get lost in a dizzying amount of arts and culture. Here’s where to get started when you’re looking to conquer Miami for the first time.

What comes to mind when you think of Miami? It could be the shopping, the beach, or any number of popular Miami destinations.

Beaches and the Outdoors

No one should go to Miami without spending some of their time at the beach itself. You don’t have to limit yourself to just Miami Beach, since there are plenty of other beaches with its own unique setting. Head out to South Beach for celebrity spotting or relax on the sands of Sunny Isles Beach. Whatever the type of beach you’re looking for you’re sure to find white shores and turquoise waters that will satisfy you to your heart’s desire in Miami.

This place is also home to the only underwater national park in the country, so if you have time, head out to Biscayne National Park to get an entirely unique experience. It’s a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and enter an underwater wonderland. Tropical scenery awaits in the luscious Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and you can spot over 2,000 animals at the Miami Zoo.

Arts and Culture

As much as Miami is associated with raucous nightlife and glorious sunny beaches, the city is also known for its art, museums, and culture. Checking out the art deco scene is a must for any first time visitor. Make your way to Miami’s Art Deco Historic District where you can wander around solo or opt to take a guided tour. After you’ve had your fill of deco architecture, check out the art galleries in the Design District. It’s a great opportunity to see the many different styles of art the city offers. Though much of the Miami art is kitsch, there is also something for fine art lovers at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens where European masterpieces are displayed.

A visit to Miami is also the perfect time to immerse yourself in its Latin influences. The best place to start is Little Havana, where Cuban music fills the streets, with eateries offering authentic foods and some of the country’s finest coffees. Walk along Calle Ocho for the best of the best when it comes to Little Havana.

Nightlife and Events

If you can, try to book your trip to align with one of the many festivals in Miami. Big music festivals often pass through the city, but there’s also Miami Fashion Week, Carnaval, and Art Basel. Ask any Miami local, and they’ll tell you that the festivals and parties are make the city come to life.

Miami is definitely on the list of cities that knows what they’re doing when it comes to throwing parties. While there are many run-of-the-mill nightclubs, you’ll also find a selection of the finest ones on the planet. Celebrities are known to frequent the hottest dance halls here, and anyone who wants to dance the night away is in luck. You’ll find plenty of lasers and mega clubs and intimate lounges wherever you go.

Interesting Reasons Why An Apartment May Be A Good Choice For Your Family

If you’re thinking about relocating your family, you may be looking at different housing options. Well, I’m here to make a case for the lovely old apartment. Living in one could be a great choice for your family, and here’s why:

Cost-Effective

One of the hardest parts of buying a house is the cost. You’ve got the big cost of the house itself, combined with all the utility bills and property tax. But, apartments are a lot cheaper for families to live in. You don’t have to put down a massive deposit; you just pay a monthly rent. Plus, sometimes the utility bills can be covered in the rent, which saves a little money. The big winner is that you don’t have to pay any property tax if you live in an apartment. This can save your family money over a long period of time.

(Image: https://goo.gl/0oc9s6)

Different Sizes Available

When people think of an apartment, they tend to imagine it being small. There’s no way a family can live in an apartment, right? Wrong. It’s very easy for a family of three or four to live in a standard sized apartment. You can get apartments that have two, three, even four bedrooms! It’s even possible to get ones that have more than one level too. So, if you’re worried about space for your family, don’t be! You and your family can still live comfortably in an apartment.

Secure Parking

With a lot of houses, you may not have a driveway or garage to park your car. This means you have to risk leaving it on the street overnight. Now, as well as this leaving your car unprotected, it can also raise car insurance costs. But, lots of apartments come with various parking options. Some have their own parking lot; others have a secure garage for residents. The bottom line is, you can park your car a lot safer if you live in an apartment. This could also save you money on your car insurance, which is a nice little bonus!

(Image via Google https://goo.gl/1SOEUx)

Staying on the topic of secureness, apartments can bring a greater deal of security to your family. When you live in a house, you have your security system installed to alert you of any burglars. This is pretty impressive, but, it’s only one thing. When you live in an apartment complex, you have a few more layers of security. First, people have to buzz an apartment before they come in. This means pressing a button and asking to be let into the building. If you don’t know the person, you don’t let them in – simple. It’s an easy thing that adds to security levels. Plus, you have security systems built into the building and individual apartments. So, if someone manages to break into the building, the alarms will go off before they get a chance to break into your apartment. Also, some apartment buildings have security cameras outside to ward off trespassers. In general, your family can be a lot safer living in an apartment.

Take a moment to relax with a game of bingo

A mum’s life is a busy one, there’s no doubt about that. Some days, it feels like you don’t have a moment to yourself, but, actually, even the busiest person will have times during the day when they can profit from some downtime. If you can identify those times and do something relaxing with them, then you’ll find you have much more energy and zest for the remainder of the day.

by davejdoe

Bingo is a great choice for when you only have a few minutes to spare – and doesn’t that sound familiar to most mums up and down the country! For example, in the role of taxi-driver mum, you’ll often have time to spare when waiting for your child to come out of school, ballet-class or football practice. Some days, you’ll feel like having a natter with some of the other parents, but if not you could always just stay cocooned in the car and have a couple of games of bingo. They only take minutes and could lead to an unexpected cash bonus. Many of the bingo sites such as bgo, BoyleBingo and New Look Bingo offer mobile as well as online games, so choosing where to play is never a problem.

Of course, that’s not to say you can’t enjoy longer sessions of bingo. It’s a great choice as an alternative to watching TV in the evening when the kids have gone to bed. The schedule of online bingo games from bgo.com runs around the clock, so whenever you’re in the mood to play you can just log in and start playing. Online bingo is also a way to socialise if you fancy it, too, by entering the chat room linked to the particular game you’re playing.

Why online bingo is relaxing

The old-fashioned way of playing bingo – with dabbers and paper gaming cards – used to be pretty stressful in the moment. You’d have to be quickest to mark off the matching numbers as calls were made, and check all your cards at once. Then, if you completed a line or achieved full house it was a race to call Bingo before anyone else in the room. Playing online is a completely different experience as the software does the work for you. You just choose which game and how many tickets, then watch what happens as the numbers are called. It’s fun and entertaining, but the complete opposite of stressful!

That’s not to say it doesn’t get exciting – when you’ve only got ‘one/two/three to go’ before you win. The excitement in a bingo chat room is infectious. Sometimes a number of players you’re chatting with can be on the verge of winning, and that means everyone’s having a good time. Even if you don’t actually end up with the win yourself, it still leaves you with a buzz when someone you’ve been chatting with wins. And, of course, the next time the win could be yours. That’s the other big appeal of playing online bingo – the random nature of the game means that anytime you play, you might just have that mega win.

If you’re looking for a way to unwind and have some fun without needing to make any effort, you couldn’t make a better choice than online bingo!

Relocating Your Family? Here’s What You Need To Think About

A few years ago I uprooted and relocated my entire family. Let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. There was a lot to think about and at one point it seemed like it was going completely downhill. When you move home with kids, it’s more than just finding the right home. It’s all about finding the right home for them. And of course, if you’re thinking about increasing your family size, the right home for the future. Already the problems are starting to pile up, and I’m sorry to tell you that is just the tip of the iceberg.

A Home With Enough Space

Usually, if you are moving house with a family, it is for one of two reasons. Either you are moving because of a job opportunity or you are relocating because you need a bigger place for your kids to grow up in. Moving to get more space is easier because you have the possibility of staying in roughly the same location. That cuts out a lot of problems like dealing with your kids changing schools and losing contact with their friends. If you’re moving to a bigger place, your biggest issue becomes getting the best price on your old home. Then, you can pay a far bigger deposit and get a more attractive deal on the mortgage.

The answer to this particular issue is all to do with style and design. You need to make your home look more expensive than it actually is. I’ll let you in on a little secret of how I did this. I sold it as the perfect place to raise a family but when it was on the market my kids weren’t living there! They were staying with my parents, so the house looked absolutely perfect. There was no mess, no fuss and no problems. It looked like a showroom and needless to say it was a quick, easy, sale.

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2) Cutting Costs

Of course, if you are relocating for a job you might be looking at practicality and saving money. First, you’re going to have to decide how far from your new job you’re going to live. If you’re working in the city, then you might be better off buying an apartment rather than commuting every day. Don’t be put off by this idea, there are some incredibly luxurious apartments on sale that would be perfect to raise your family in. That way your home will be close to where you or your partner is working. For some examples of some stunning apartment designs, visit sttrinity.com.au.

3) Making It Easier On The Kids

If you don’t get your kids involved in the move, I guarantee they are going to make it a nightmare. Start by including them in the choice of the home you buy. You are not really taking their opinion on board, but they don’t know that. By doing this, you give them the sense that this move is for them as well as you. Also, where you can, make the move fun. If you are going to moving far away, treat house hunting as a holiday, exploring different locations.

Using these tips you can make the relocation of your family relatively pain-free.

Revolution Mother