Category: Views & Opinions

Whether you are moving to a completely new country or just another city, it can be a jarring experience for everyone, including adults. However, it’s always the children who feel the worst. Depending on whether it’s an international shift or a domestic one, the effects will vary, but they will still always be there.

Children often act out in various ways during this time, and although it can be unsettling for the parents, the reaction is common and understandable. Shy children may not express it, but it could turn into depression if justify unattended and unexpressed.

In light of these facts, it is important for parents to pay special attention towards helping their child cope with the move away from his/her friends, school, home and pretty much everyone outside the family. As to how you can do that effectively, here are a few tips that will make the move easier for both the children and the parents.

Be Sensitive with the Announcement

If you are the kind of parent who believes that children need not be involved in family decisions, then you will have a hard time ahead of you! On the other hand, if you can be sensitive about it, you can minimize the negative impact of the announcement on your children significantly.

If he/she is old enough, sit down with your child and tell them about the reasons why you had to take that decision. If you are clear and sensitive about the reasons and the announcement, almost always, the children will support you, whether they like the decision or not. They may still not be happy about it of course, but they will understand and won’t hold grudges in most cases. Teenagers appreciate being treated like an adult and it’s the right course to take as parents.

In case you also have toddlers at home who are too young to understand all that, it might actually be easier. Sit down with them and tell them about the move, but concentrate on telling them the best aspects of the move’s effects on their lives, such as a bigger house, a better school with a huge playground, more toys because daddy got a huge pay bump! Anything will do, as long as they are at least partially true and reflect positively on the move.

Let Your Child be a Part of the Renovation Planning

When you are moving to a new house, it will need renovations, painting and a new décor to suit your own taste. This is actually a great opportunity to involve your children in the move and make them enthusiastic about it.

Plan the whole redecoration together as a family and give them the freedom to plan the whole décor of their own room. Teenagers in particular will love the freedom to remodel their own living space, but even small children would be quite happy if you let them choose smaller aspects of their room, such as the paint or the wallpaper for example.

As packing up your old house and moving home will take up a lot of your time and energy, you may want to enlist the help of a handyman service to take some of the stress off your plate. Services like Edward’s Enterprises can take care of all the renovation, redecoration and regular handyman jobs needed at your new home. Just put in a call to them and after the initial inspection, discuss what your plans are for each room in the house to get an estimate about the expected expenses. Don’t forget to let your kids (if they are old enough) be involved in the discussion as well, so that they can put forward their own ideas about the renovations they want in their rooms.

Talk to the Teachers of their New School

The older your child is, the harder it will be for him/her to settle down in the new school and make friends. Talk with the teachers and make sure that you convey the situation to them. They will often provide the extra attention a child needs while coping with a new school environment, but without letting that be too obvious in front of the class. It’s a tricky situation, but good teachers can handle it and may even be able to help him/her make a few, new friends.

Remind Them That it’s 2019!

We do live in the age of video calls, infinite text messages, social media websites, so tell them that in 2019, the move won’t necessarily put them completely out of touch with their closest friends. If they are old enough to use the internet and have a smartphone, then it’s a fact that they know all too well, but it still feels good to hear about it from your parents in times of sadness.

Sometimes, whatever you do isn’t enough, and in such cases, it’s best to take a step back and let the kids heal from the uprooting experience on their own. However, using the above advice, it could make the move that little bit easier.

Getting out on the open road, with the freedom to do what you want, where you want and do it when you want is one of the most liberating and exhilarating feelings there is. Here are a few pointers if you want to get the most out of any road trip as without a little bit of though the whole thing could go very flat very quickly.

How to Create the Perfect DIY Road Trip

Have a Plan, But Don’t Stick to It

It’s vitally important to have a plan as you need to make sure you know what you want to achieve before you head off so that you don’t forget something you were really keen to do or end up being stuck and not really doing much other than driving around. But also you don’t want to be so rigidly stuck to the plan that you can’t let the adventure happen by accident when an opportunity presents itself. So be sure to be able to adapt to whatever is presented to you.

Make Sure You Seek Out New Experiences: Break Out of Your Comfort Zone

One thing that makes a road trip great is trying out new experiences. So bear this in mind when making your decisions, as even if you are travelling to a new place if you still just do what you always do but in a different place then it will be just the same. For example mix up the types of accommodation you normally stay in or eat new things or try new activities.

Ensure Your Vehicle is Ready

One of the most vital pieces of advice you could receive before heading off on to the open road is to make sure your vehicle is ready and everything is up to date and checked. You need to ensure you have the vehicles servicing up to date and check the tyres, air and oil. It’s also important to ensure that insurance is in place. As it’s easy to forget especially if it’s a camper van you use only a handful of times a year and if not then find a van insurance deal as a matter of priority.

Make a Record of Everything You Do

It’s important to document the experience as you go, lots of photos and videos and you can share them as you go on Facebook and Instagram, show everyone what a wonderful time you have been having and even start a holiday blog, even if it’s just for you it will be a lovely memento to read back through and relive the holiday.

Meet New People

You are not in your comfort zone and normal routine when on a holiday so why not use this opportunity to push the boat out and talk to new people, it’s not something most of us do in everyday life. The great thing about doing this when travelling around is that there is no pressure as if it doesn’t work out you are not going to have to see them around town.

Everyday carry wallets are those that are meant for daily use, as practical as they are trendy. While many may be confused by the surge of this sudden fad, it makes sense as the construction that goes into creating these are extensive. They are made to be durable and heavy duty, with a combination of materials to increase its period of use, such as leather and aluminum. In addition, it is available in so many forms that there is certain to be one to fit any taste, from silicone to polycarbonate, steel to titanium. More can be found on this guide.

Another reason for why they are so beneficial are the multiple tools that may come with them. Outside of just for those traveling, accessories such as screwdrivers, paracords, or even knives could come in handy for a person in an emergency. When trying to find the best EDC wallet to buy, it is important to study how easy it is to slide cards out, whether it can easily open, and the flexibility of the band. In addition, they have a minimalist style as well for those not looking for anything fancy.

These minimalist wallets come in all shapes and sizes, making it difficult to choose. However, all of them are slim and streamlined unlike the traditional bulky wallets, meaning that there is less of a chance of them falling out. Leather wallets can cost a little more but are durable for a long time and looks better as it ages. Elastic wallets are the slimmest and less expensive, but may be less durable as well. Finally, there are metal wallets that have the highest durability and the added RFID protection; however, these can become heavy and are much less comfortable for carry than the other two choices.

On the opposite end of everyday carry wallets would be designer wallets, ones that are chosen for their style and unusual look. These are meant to make a person stand out from those around them and often come in many different types of materials as well. One company, Wolf & Badger, specializes in selling leather ones. However, while these are fancy, they may not have as much functionality as an everyday carry wallet. After all, these types of designer wallets are meant for showing off. Anyone wanting to be prepared for an emergency should understand the downfalls of a designer wallet.

Truly a wallet built for peak functionality, it can be hard to go wrong when investing in an everyday carry wallet. These are built for survival, for first aid, and some are even made specially for hobbies such as fishing. In addition, the special style that comes with these wallets can be hard to replicate through other designs while providing the same amount of utility. They are relatively inexpensive to buy, and with such a wide assortment of tools for any emergency, those using an EDC wallet can relax and rest assured of their safety no matter where they are.

One month to go before Mother’s Day! This year will be my first time to be celebrating Mother’s Day as a new mom. 🙂 Motherhood is absolutely beautiful, but it’s exhausting, exhilarating, and scary all at the same time. Truly, becoming a mom is one of the most momentous times in a woman’s life. Along with it of course are responsibilities like guiding and nurturing kids to their success.

As people say, no one can replace a mother’s position as the best nurturer of her little ones. With this, any mother deserves the best things for her exceptional qualities. She makes life full of happy and joyous moments. Mother’s Day is the perfect day to shower your mom with love and some amazing thoughtful gifts to show how much you care.

Have a “modern mom”? Make her day memorable by giving some unique gifts and presents. You may even get different gifting ideas on the internet. Just spend some time finding the best gifts to create some unforgettable memories of the day. The most important thing is to select items according to her taste or interests. Here are some trending gifts for the modern moms this mother’s day.

Top Exclusive Mother’s Day Gifts for the Modern Moms

Essential accessories

When it comes to thinking of gift ideas for moms, there’s a lot of pressure. You want to find something she’ll use all the time, but it can’t be strictly utilitarian. It should also have a sentimental spin. How about choosing some fantastic mother’s day gifts online for her? Select some accessories like bags, sunglasses, and scarves, etc. for your mom. You can even choose a keepsake accessory with her name on it to make her feel special.

Jewelry like pearl pendants

Most of the moms are fashion lovers, and they like to go with the trends. If your mom is interested in designer jewelry, make a pearl pendant or necklace for her. You can even give her a chance to choose her favorite pattern and design. It can be a perfect mother’s day gift to bring some unforgettable moments in her life. She may be expecting such designer jewelry for a long time. Your mom will be going to love your gift selection for making her day special.

A gift hamper of ethnic wear

Mothers are curious to wear traditional dresses on special occasions. They also expect something new for their memorable events. You have the right chance to purchase ethnic wear of her choices. The colors and patterns of a particular dress should be according to her taste. Make a hamper adding such a beautiful clothing gift for your mom on this mother’s day. It should be something which can bring her to the next level of joy. She will come to know how much you think about her basic needs.

A themed cake for mom

Have you ever seen any celebration without a delicious cake? A cake is essential for commemorating all memorable occasions with our near and dear ones. You can also celebrate motherhood by dedicating a unique mother’s day cake for your loving mom.  Make it special for her by decorating according to the best theme. Consider her favorite passion for cake decoration. Your mom will be happy to get such warmth of love and happiness from your side. She will never forget the grand celebration of this mother’s day at home.

Customized Mugs and Cushions

If you have time to finalize your gift, go with some personalized items. Most of the personalized gifts are perfect for creating some beautiful memories of the day. Surprise your mom by gifting photo mugs and cushions this mother’s day. Take her great pictures to personalize both the items. You can even select any thoughtful quote or caption to imprint on the mug and cushion. She will keep these beautiful presents in her living room.

Now that the end of medical school is near, you might want to delve in other important aspects of your career more than just those thick medical books, late night cram sessions, and clinical rotations. After med school, you need to seriously consider your financial status moving forward.

Being a medical doctor is a great and rewarding career. It is personally rewarding because you get to help people with their ailments. It should be a financially rewarding career because the average pay is around $250,000 annually. But according to a survey conducted by the American Medical Association, around 56% of physicians have an underwhelming savings of around $100,000 upon retirement. Only 69% of physicians feel knowledgeable about financial planning and literacy.

This financial problem is mainly due to the lack of financial plans that should have been started at the very beginning of their medical career. Investments come in many forms and here are some things that an up and coming medical doctor should be investing.

5 Things to Invest in After Med School

1. Life Insurance

No one gets to better see and understand the uncertainty of life than medical doctors. Life and death scenarios are probably always in your face as a third person perspective. Being aware of the kind of devastation a loss of life can inflict on a family is very much familiar to you. Life insurance is something no one actually wants to use, but is a solid financial decision that will help your family stay afloat amidst all the commotion that can arise when you get to meet the creator.

There are usually two types of life insurance, whole and term policies. Term life insurance policy means you are insured for a certain period of time, while the whole life insurance guarantees financial backup for all your life.

2. Disability Insurance

Being a doctor means you rely on your skills, knowledge, and expertise for a living. But what happens when something made you unable to do your job. Something that results in you being disabled? According to statistics, one in three doctors will undergo some form of disability that will render them unable to do their job over the course of their career, whether it is short term or long term.

This means you lost not only your ability to help people but also lost your very income. Disability insurance is a concrete way to protect you from loss of income and other financial problems due to disability that will hinder you to perform your practice. When you have this kind of investment, you have less worry about what the future may hold for you as this ensure financial stability all throughout.

3. Retirement

At the end of the day, you won’t still be practicing when you are old. What you should do around those times is to enjoy life and the fruit of your labor. Retirement plans are something you need to consider early on. 401K is a retirement plan sponsored by employers and it is something you definitely start with.

Discuss the plans and security covered by the hospital or clinic you are working with. Funding it early is a great idea to start earning interest on it. Let your money work for you.

4. Home

Owning a real estate property is an investment that offers benefits to everyone, even doctors. Not only does it secure that you have a place to live, but it can also be used as another form of additional income like a home rental. Apart from these, it can as well be used for tax benefits listed as a form of depreciation.

5. Money Market Savings

Money market accounts are something to be explored by medical professions as it has the benefits of both savings and checking accounts, only it accumulates more interest that both forms of accounts. These are considered low risk and even no risk investments.

Are you tired of your 9 to 5 job and are contemplating the possibility of starting your own business? Perhaps you’ve got some writing talent and are thinking of becoming a copywriter. After all, this is a lucrative field if you’re good at what you’re doing. If you’re new on the market, you must learn how to make it as a copywriter though, or you may never pursue success. Here are the top 5 tips you should learn before ditching your job and establishing your new business.

How to Make It as a Copywriter: Top 5 Tips

1. Get to Know the Landscape

Copywriting is a fancy-sounding word for many, but only a few people understand its essence. A copywriter is not just any writer. It is someone who knows how to write copy that drives leads and converts.

Companies looking for copywriters are actually looking after compelling copy that sells. You’ll never reach success as a copywriter by telling the story of your life. You’ll have to learn the art of persuasion and turn readers into fans – and potential customers – of the company you’re writing for.

Brands also need copywriters to boost their search engine optimization (SEO), so you will also have to familiarize yourself with this concept.

Since you’ll be working in a fast-moving sector, you will only succeed if you have a good grasp of the latest SEO trends and manage to stay up to date with the best social media and digital marketing practices.

2. Decide What Copywriter You Want to Be

Copywriter is a broad term that incorporates a wide range of jobs. Some copywriters produce TV commercials, mail campaigns, brochures and press releases for print. Web copywriters and SEO copywriters focus on delivering copy for the virtual medium.

When deciding what type of copywriter you want to be, consider both the market demand and your experience.

If you have no formal studies in writing and no experience in the field, getting started as a web or SEO copywriter may be easier. There is more demand for such roles, and some company directors are also flexible to hire you despite not having a diploma if you can prove your talent.

3. Pick a Niche

As a new copywriter, you may be tempted to apply to all writing gigs regardless of their scope or sector. If you want to have success, however, you should pick a niche and specialize in it.

Most companies need copywriters, so it’s easy to choose based on your interests. If you like hiking, for instance, you could apply to write for outdoor equipment brands. If you’re a gamer or gambler, writing casino reviews for a site like The Slot Buzz could keep you entertained.

Remember that fun is part of the writing game. If you don’t have the affinity for the niche or sector you picked, chances are you’ll never write winning copy capable of lending you great gigs.

4. Employee vs. Freelancer: This is The Question

If you’re ready to leave your job and set up a new business, perhaps you’re thinking of becoming a freelance copywriter. However, there are a few things you should weigh in before making up your mind.

Freelancing comes with significant advantages, but it could not work out if you’re not extremely disciplined. At first, you may also have to spend more time applying for gigs and looking for clients than actually writing and earning, and this could be discouraging.

Working for a copywriting agency or corporation may stick you to a schedule, but it will earn you a good paycheck every month.

5. Have Realistic Expectations

Copywriting is indeed one of the most profitable jobs for either employees or freelancers. But don’t expect your startup’s turnover to skyrocket from day one.

People will not know you at the beginning of your career, and you’re more likely to have to produce large amounts of fantastic copy for a low pay until you gain yourself a name. Perhaps you will have to work for content mills or through job board sites to build a portfolio.

An excellent way to showcase your skills is through a personal blog, but it is still unlikely to lend yourself a big contract as soon as you get into the business.

If you keep your expectations low and are prepared to work hard, becoming a copywriter may be very rewarding though. You’ll get to set your schedule, work from anywhere in the world, and build yourself a profitable business by taking advantage of your word-crafting talents alone.

You have been in a relationship for quite some time, but now you are formally engaged. Your love is now officially your fiancé. Congratulations! According to a study conducted in 2015, the normal length of an engagement is around 14.5 months. Some people get married in a month, other engagement last years. Engagements are a magical time for a couple as they dream of the future.

More than just a venue to exchange their vows, a wedding is a ceremony shared between the couple,  God, and the people closest to their hearts. Most people only want to get married one time, well that is the dream, so it is important to make all necessary preparation and attention to all the details.

Everyone wants to have a perfect wedding. It needs to be promising, memorable, if not dreamy, not only for you as a couple but also for the guests. It is not like you want to impress them, but see it as a way to reciprocate the time and effort they gave to attend your very special day.

Here are some wedding details that can impress your guests.

It’s all about the dress

You will be the very center of attention on your wedding day. All eyes will be on both of you. One way to impress is through your dress. There is a reason why parents and friends cry when the ladies have chosen their wedding dress on the TV show “Say Yes To The Dress.” Apart from being dramatic, seeing a person you know so dearly in a wedding dress stirs up emotions in you because you know their life is about to change. You will no longer be a daughter or a friend, but will also be a wife.

To dress to impress you need to choose the dress that you feel most comfortable with. It needs to be your style, the one that makes you feel the best. This isn’t the time to try out an extreme style. This is your time and your dress.

Lighting sets the tone

Not many couples pay attention to this detail, but the lighting in your wedding venue can impact the overall vibe in your ceremony. It can also add class and a sense of luxury when perfectly blended and planned. In addition, a well-lighted venue can also be an element to make your wedding photos stunning. You are not the only one who is going to enjoy pictures. Your guest will likely be delighted with the no-filter beauty of your venue and will be posting in their social media all-throughout the night.

Venue is important

Location, location, location, that is what most businessmen think in order to have a prosperous business but it can also be applied for you to have a successful wedding day. You do not have to settle to just a church wedding or a hotel ballroom. Nowadays, your options are very wide like

• garden
• beach
• vineyard
• farm
• mansion

It should be an amazing place somewhere in your area that both you and your soon-to-be spouse are fond of, maybe that is the place you can showcase to your guest. The trend these days are going for the outdoors. Imagine exchanging vows with a beautiful lake view and hillside as a backdrop.

Food

Food is an important component on any occasion, especially at a wedding because there is the reception. Think of unique ways to serve your food. Maybe you could have an ice cream sundae bar or a chocolate fountain. You could even have cotton candy. The point is that you don’t have to serve traditional food. Serve what you like to eat and have a little fun with it.