How to help your Children during a divorce

For children, divorce can be an especially sad, stressful, and a very confusing time. At any age, kids may feel shocked, uncertain, or angry at the prospect of mom and dad splitting up. They may even feel guilty, blaming themselves for the problems at home. While it’s normal for a child to grieve the breakup of the family, as a parent, there’s plenty you can do to make the process less painful for your kids. Divorce is never a seamless process, but there is ways you can help your children cope with the upheaval of a breakup and come out the other side more resilient, more understanding, and even with a closer bond withboth parents. To obtain these results, you need to be able to explain the situation to the children.

Best ways to explain the complicated situation to the kids

When it comes to telling your kids about your divorce, many parents freeze up. There are ways to make the conversation a little easier on both yourself and your children by preparing what you’re going to say before you sit down to talk. If you can anticipate tough questions, deal with your own anxieties ahead of time, and plan carefully what you’ll be telling them, you will be better equipped to help your children handle the news. It is important to adapt the speech depending on the age of the children’s.

You need to know what to say and how to say it

Difficult as it may be to do, you must try to have an empathetic tone and address the most important point’s right up front. Give your children the benefit of an honest and friendly explanation.

Your kids are entitled to know why you are getting a divorce, but long-winded reasons may only confuse them. Pick something simple and honest as you may need to remind your children that while sometimes parents and kids don't always get along, parents and kids don't stop loving each other or get divorced from each other. You have to do everything you can for the children to understand it is not his fault!

However, simple it may sound, letting your children know that your love for them hasn’t changed is a powerful message. Tell them you’ll still be caring for them in every way, from fixing their breakfast to helping with homework and being there when they play soccer or hockey. Yes, you will have to acknowledgethat some things will be different now, and other things won’t and most of all, let them know that together you can deal with each detail as you go.

How to help the children during that difficult period

A separation or divorce is a highly stressful and emotional experience for everyone involved, but it can often feel to your children that their whole world has been turned upside down. At any age, it can be traumatic to witness the dissolution of your parents’ marriage and the breakup of the family. Inevitably, such a transitional time can’t be without some measure of grief and hardship, but you can dramatically reduce your children’s pain by making their well-being your top priority.

Your patience, reassurance, and a listening ear can minimize tension as your children learn to cope with unfamiliar circumstances. By providing routines your kids can rely on, you remind them that they can count on you for stability and structure. Also, maintaining a working relationship with your ex can help your kids avoid the stress and anguish that comes with watching parents in conflict. If you can’t find a common ground with your ex, there is always other solution like seeking the help of a professional and use mediation to help your situation. With the help of a family mediation and advices from an expert with experience, your kids can not only successfully navigate this unsettling time, but even emerge from it feeling loved, confident, and strong.

61 Travel Quotes + Postcard Printables to Inspire Wanderlust

In a digital age, most of us look to Instagram for travel inspiration. Our feeds are saturated with colorful photos that can help us recover from any adventure, cure post-trip blues or give a little boost to inspire the next excursion. But contrary to the old saying, a picture isn’t always worth a thousand words. In fact, literary legends, iconic travelers and educated globetrotters are excellent proof of this. Their words of wisdom about our great world — in the form of books, mantras and quotes are certain to inspire wanderlust in the way that photos can’t.

There are travel quotes about journeys, self-discovery, adventure and those that inspire us to live life to the fullest. So, if you’re ready for a little wanderlust pick me up, take a look at this collection of 61 travel quotes, complete with postcard printables.

Print out your favorite design and write in your favorite inspirational quote from world-renowned travelers. Add them to your home, office or send to a friend this holiday season.

• “Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.” — Lovelle Drachman
• “I do not want to get to the end of my life and find that I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.” — Diane Acke
• “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal!” — Paul Coelho
• “Adventure is a path. Real adventure, self-determined, self-motivated, often risky, forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world” – Mark Jenkins
• “A person susceptible to “wanderlust” is not so much addicted to movement as committed to transformation.” – Pico Iyer
• “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” — Gustave Flaubert
• “You don’t have to be rich to travel well.” — Eugene Fodor
• “I travel because it makes me realize how much I haven’t seen, how much I’m not going to see, and how much I still need to see.” — Carew Papritz
• “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” — Tim Cahill
• “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
• “Don’t just tell your children about the world. Show them.” — Unknown
• “The most beautiful country is the one I’ve never been to.” — Unknown
• “Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” — Benjamin Disraeli
• “Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have travelled.” — Mohammed
• “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveller only who is foreign.”— Robert Louis Stevenson
• “A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” — John A. Shedd

Activities to Keep the Kids Busy Without Spending A Fortune

No matter the age of your children finding productive and budget-friendly things to do can be quite challenging. Below are 7 ways (that won’t cost a fortune) you can use on any day of the week to ensure your kids don’t go stir crazy.

Indoor Camp Out

What kid doesn’t love to pretend play and make their dreams come true? What they would love even more is actually bringing their imagination to life. Bringing the camping inside is just the fun they may be looking for.

For this activity you will need a tent, a real one will do or one made from sheets is good too. Pretend to light a fire and eat freeze-dried foods. You could also make indoor s’mores very easily at your stove or in your microwave. Be sure to get the sleeping bags and ghost stories ready for a fun night under the ‘stars’.

Indoor Obstacle course

Sometimes it's just simply too cold or rainy to get out of the house. Bad weather or not kids need to be able to have the space to release all of the energy they have.  Creating an obstacle course in your home is fun for everyone.

Try making the string laser course like you see in the movies for your kids. All you really will need is lots of string to create the course and then your kids can collect the objects you already have at home and put them in baskets at either end of the course.

Give Them Lots of Colouring Room

Kids of all ages enjoy colouring but depending on the age the activity can go pretty quickly before they are bored again. A way to switch up just plain old colouring is to buy a big role of plain white wrapping paper. Use the wrapping paper and spread it out anywhere like the floor or across a table. This can be really cool for kids because they can just keep pulling the paper whenever they need more space to draw.

In Need of A Furry Friend?

If you can't commit to an animal year round you can try pet sitting over the holidays. This can also help you decide whether you and the family are ready to get your own yet. It could be just a phrase and you end up doing all the work. They are a few places you can look for pets to care for try Guide Dogs Australia or if your not keen a getting a puppy you can look at house sitting sites which also offer animal care.

Get Crafty

There is nothing like a bit of DIY that gets kids excited! Learning how to make their own things will also give them a better appreciation for their belonging as well as the costs of things. Make sure you pick something that is useful but also achievable for a few age groups. You could try making animal masks or maybe a learn how to make a pencil case for the coming school term!

Have A BBQ With Friends

Your kids want to be social and are usually begging to go hang out with their friends. Take this as an opportunity to throw a potluck BBQ. Tell everyone you invite to bring the sides and drinks and you as the host will be responsible for grilling.

Your kids having their friends around will keep them busy. With the kids so hyped up be sure to tell them beforehand the dangers of being near an outdoor grill and take the proper precautions regarding  gas smoker safety.

A Day of Volunteering

An awesome way to give kids some perspective on how others live is to have them give back in some capacity. It teaches kids to have empathy and care for others around them as well as have gratitude for what they have in life.

There are many ways to give back that kids may be able to participate in. Some great places to start volunteering are your local soup kitchen, animal shelters, or spending the day cleaning up trash at your local park.

Sensory Bins

Young toddlers to school ages children love to play with sensory bins. Sensory bins can be fairly messy so be sure to work on a sheet or outdoors where it is okay for you and the kids to get a little dirty. Make shimmer snow made from baking soda and glitter. Try a coloured rice bin with just plain rice and food colour. If you want to avoid the mess altogether fill a bin with cotton balls and simply add kitchen utensils and measuring cups and the kids will have a blast.

Make Your Own T-Shirts

Let's be real, kids will practically draw all over the house if you let them. Foster their creativity skills and design your own t-shirts. It doesn’t take much to get this done and can be made on new or old shirts.

Use any type of art medium your child likes such as crayons, markers, or even let them paint on their shirt. Make sure to hand wash and dry your shirts so that your kids can cherish their creations for years to come.

With a little of creavity and planning it easy to keep the kids busy! Once you have built up a repertoire of activities you will have then away from the TV and enjoying themselves all holidays!

5 Tips to Getting Rid of Dandruff in Kids

Dandruff is a condition that causes flaky skin to form on the scalp of little ones and even some adults. Dandruff is also known as seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis. It usually occurs on the scalp but can attack other oily parts of the body like eyebrows, ears, eyelids, belly button, armpits, groin and neck.

The flaky skin is whitish or yellowish. In some kids, dandruff is known to cause redness and itchiness on the affected area. Failure to treat dandruff properly may lead to hair loss. Besides this, dandruff can be a very embarrassing condition for kids making them to be less social and withdrawn at most times.

You will find here five essential tips that you can use to get rid of dandruff in kids quickly and effectively. Here are the tips to use:

1.    Use Regular and Medicated Shampoo Alternately

Before using shampoo when your kids have dandruff it is advisable that you first brush the hair thoroughly. Brushing the hair removes the dry flaky skin on the scalp making the shampoo you are using more effective at reducing scaly skin.

When your kid suffers from dandruff you may decide to use medicated shampoo to get rid of it. The frequency of use of the shampoo depends on the severity of the dandruff. If not so severe then the shampoo will be used a few times per week. On the days when the shampoo is not being used allow the kid to wash their hair with regular shampoo to ensure the hair stays clean.

2.    Stay Away from Conditioners and Other Styling Products

If your kid had been using a conditioner before it is advisable that you stay away from it for now. Sensitivity to certain hair products is a known cause of dandruff. After the dandruff has been healed try using different hair products.

3.    Use Home Remedies

Although there are many conventional medications to get rid of dandruff, home remedies are just as effective. There are many home remedies you can use to get rid of dandruff naturally at home. The remedies include; lemon juice, Aloe Vera juice, Tea tree oil, coconut oil, use apple cider vinegar, use baking soda, mayonnaise or butter, eggs, bergamot essential oil and Indian gooseberry paste.

4.    Increase the Uptake of Omega 3 Oils

Omega 3 fatty acids play a major role in enhancing the functioning of the heart, the immune system and skin health. Without enough omega 3s the body shows signs of dry skin, dry hair and formation of dandruff. If you find that your kid has dandruff it could be a sign that they are lacking the essential omega 3s in the body for vital skin health.

5.    Increase Intake of Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are beneficial to human health. Studies have shown that probiotics help the body to fight fungus that causes dandruff. This is achieved by enhancing the immune function. Probiotics also help fight symptoms of skin conditions that may cause dandruff like eczema and dermatitis.

Aspirin has also been shown to reduce severity of dandruff but it might not be good for your kid however as you can find here, you have the very essential tips you need to effectively get rid of dandruff in kids.

5 Tips to dressing up a grocery bag

Many people have been using plastic bags to do their shopping but the use of these bags has resulted in pollution to the environment. To avoid spoiling the environment using plastic bags, many people are now using disposable shopping bags. They can be easily recycled and used for several trips to the store.

Grocery bags can be dressed up using various techniques and materials that would make them ideal and strong for carrying items during shopping. With the rise of custom made grocery shopping bags, you can effectively make use of simple DIY techniques to create beautiful and fashionable grocery bags. Below are five tips to dressing up a grocery bag to make it strong and good enough for shopping purposes.

Use canvas or fabrics

There are several ways that canvas can be sewn on grocery bags to make them look more presentable. Using fabrics such as cotton and canvas it is possible to dress up your grocery bag. You can choose the fabrics depending on the colors that you want and style that you feel will be more presentable.

Canvas gives a grocery bag a simple yet beautiful design. The canvas or fabric can either be used for the straps or sewn on the sides of the grocery bag. You can also decide to include a wallet size shaped fold up on the size big enough to fit your wallet or phone in case you would want a more accessible way of getting to them while shopping.

Use a marker

A marker can be used to mark words or draw designs on the grocery bag depending on your preference. If you are a lover of flowers, you can decide to draw a flower on the sides of the bag or write down on it. Written custom made grocery bags with words such as

Print on it

When deciding on printing on a grocery bag, it can either be patterned or any design such as floral designs. Some company brands even have their logos printed on the bags with others including certain messages that make it more pleasant or send a particular message. You can include words like cereals, vegetables or grains.

Crotchet it

Dressing up a grocery bag by crocheting it makes it look more eco-friendly and unique. The crotchet can either be tied and used as the shoulder straps or placed on the sides. When crocheting a bag on the sides it is best to use a stitch marker to outline where you would like to add the crocheted piece. This will give the bag a more defined look.

Knit it

Knitting your grocery bag is another way to gives it a new look. Use a mesh stitch to make it more firm and strong. The stitches can either be big or small, depending on the style that you need.

Reusable grocery bags are sustainable compared to plastic and paper bags. In case you cannot DIY one, you can also buy your reusable bags from companies with extra-crafty and beautifully patterned designs. There are many reusable grocery shopping bags available that are ecological. They also come in different colors, materials, and designs. The bags are not only healthy for the environment, but they are also machine washable and durable to last you for years.

Best Apps for Working Moms

Back in the day, when a child would be born, a mother was the one staying at home and taking care of the baby. Nowadays it is a completely different story. Working moms are not the exception anymore and according to the U.S. Department of Labor, 70 percent of moms with kids under 18 are working and the majority of them are working full time. Nobody says it is easy, although some studies state that it is actually good for kids to have a working mom.

 

Problems can occur when trying to balance work and personal life. Time pressure, organizational difficulties, and everyday stress can be substantial for working moms since they are also considered to be the main caregivers in the family. People slowly started realizing the struggles of working moms, therefore apps that can help them manage their work-life balance really rose in popularity.

 

Some of the following apps were specifically developed with working moms in mind and the others are just normal apps that were adopted by parents juggling between their jobs and kids. One thing is certain, the following aps can really make working moms lives at least a little bit easier and bring them joy.

 

PDF to Word Converter with OCR

As we said earlier, it is hard to maintain the balance between work and personal life. When you are spending time with your family, something urgent work-related can come up, that's the nature of doing business. In case you are regularly dealing with a lot of PDF documents, you could use PDF to Word Converter to edit them right on the spot. That would eliminate the need of leaving your family and rushing back to the office how you would make important changes to PDF document on your computer. You can convert files from Gmail attachments, supported cloud services or directly from your phone. There is even an option to scan paper documents so there is no need of having a separate scanner app.

 

Price: Free

Available on: iOS and Android

 

aTimeLogger

When your day comes to an end, you are most certainly asking yourself "where all my time went"? This app will help you track how you are spending your time during the day. It lets you arrange your time into 14 different categories including work, transport, sleep, shopping, housework etc. aTimeLogger will also provide you with detailed daily, weekly or monthly statistics so you would be able to see where the most of your time is going and how you can optimize it better.

 

Price: Free

Available on: iOS and Android

 

Bambino

Undoubtedly, working moms need a lot of help, around the house, at work with kids etc. Bambino can help with finding a childcare or babysitters in short notice. It enables users to review babysitters and makes the whole process of finding, booking and paying them a lot easier. You can also see what babysitters are your friends and neighbors frequently using so you would know which to book in the future. The organization Working Mother which is strictly focused on the needs of working moms said that it is one of the best and most useful apps that working moms could have on their smartphones. 

 

Price: Free

Available on: iOS

 

Dragon Anywhere

According to recent studies, when working moms were asked to name their number one favorite mobile app, the majority of them said Dragon Anywhere. It is an app that allows you to dictate and edit professional communication of any length like texts, emails or any other document while commuting and on the go. It stores everything on the cloud and works on a huge number of devices. It is one the best and most popular dictation software that can really save you time.

 

Price: Free

Available on: iOS

 

GoToMeeting

This is for the moms that work from home or the ones that are short on time. It is an innovative mobile app that enables you to have video conference calls right on your mobile device rather than using Skype, laptop or desktop computer. You can join meetings without any signups, share your phone screen, see all upcoming meetings and receive notifications before they start. There is even an option to use apps whiteboard to brainstorm ideas. 

 

Price: Free

Available on: iOS and Android

 

We hope that at least some of these apps will help you better maintain that balance between work and personal life. In case we forgot to mention some of your favorite ones, feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Canada's Member Appreciation Sale

In the spirit of the holidays, Swagbucks.ca is running a "Member Appreciation Flash Sale" next week with 3x Cash back on its most popular stores, including Amazon.ca, Cabela's, Old Navy, Indigo Books & Music, Groupon, and many more! This offer will be valid November 13th and 14th only so if you know you'll be shopping online soon I definitely recommend checking out Swagbucks first for some big cash back opportunities!

About Swagbucks: Swagbucks.ca is the leading destination for users who want to make money or get free gift cards online and get cash back on purchases. Users make money by doing things they do online anyways like searching online, watching videos, answering surveys. They also get cash back for purchases made through our site or apps, such as the SB Answer App.   

Thrifty Parenting: Shopping Used for Kids' Seasonal Items

As Halloween, Thanksgiving, and winter holidays approach, many parents feel like they're school shopping all over again. Suddenly, the fuzzy sweaters, jackets, and boots that kept the kids warm last year are nowhere to be found, or no longer fit. It's time to go clothes shopping again, or else risk showing up at holiday get-togethers with naked children.


If you're short on clothes for the little ones, and short on cash, thrift shopping can be a great way to save some money while finding unique and adorable seasonal outfits for kids. Use this style guide to bundle the youngsters without crashing your holiday budget:

1. Look for Outerwear
   
   Thrift stores can be a great place to find jackets, gloves, and scarves for cooler weather. Sometimes, a good coat can be expensive, but thrifting can save you money, especially if your child is going through a growth spurt and will likely need a bigger jacket before spring. Be sure to check zippers and buttons to make sure the coat is in working condition, and leave a little room for layers underneath.


2. Try to Mix and Match
   
   At thrift stores, you never know what you'll find. However, the eclectic mix can make outfit-building a bit challenging. Try to stick to neutral colors and pieces that you can layer to make many different looks from a handful of pieces. If you're looking for party-specific outfits, try to find fun or more formal outfits that can be worn again. That reindeer dress might be cute, but your daughter will likely only wear it once. A more simple red dress can still be festive without being disposable.


3. Focus on Comfort
   
   Kids need clothes they can run, jump, and crash in. Resist the temptation to buy ill-fitting clothes just because they're at a discount price.


4. Watch for Sales
   
   Another good thrifting tactic is to watch the sales. According to GetRichSlowly.org, thrift stores often run periodic specials, meaning you can save even more money by finding a half-off used item. Also remember to check the store frequently, since new donated items are brought out regularly, and you never know when your child's next favorite piece will arrive.


5. Don't Forget Accessories
   
   Finally, thrift stores can be a great place to find fun and quirky accessories for extremely low prices. A belt or a unique bracelet might be exactly what your child's holiday outfit needs to look special and festive. At a thrift store, there are often dozens and dozens of unusual accessories to choose from, priced at no more than a couple of dollars. Even children's shoes and boots can be affordable thrift choices, since you know that the coming ice and mud will demolish at least one pair of your kid's sneakers.

Kids grow a lot. And they're messy. Maybe that's why the average American household spends $1,700 on clothes annually. This year, you can boost your holiday cash by saving a few bucks on seasonal children's clothes. Visit your local thrift store for funky fall and winter style, without breaking the bank.

8 Anniversary Ideas to Bring You Closer Together

Couples like to celebrate things together. From birthdays to national holidays, they see it as a perfect opportunity to spend time with each other and strengthen their love. However, one date is definitely more special than all others and that is their anniversary.

Depending on the budget and circumstances, there are many anniversary ideas out there that will bring you closer together. One can be free to say, that there is always a way if you have the will and means to make it so. Therefore, if you lack ideas, try some of the following ones and make your anniversary a very special day for you and your partner.

 

Make a Mixed CD

Making mixed music for the person you like was a common thing back in high school. But even today, it’s a perfect romantic gesture that will express the feelings you have for each other. A few decades ago, it was the mixed tape, and today it’s a CD with all the songs that mean something to you.

You can even create a booklet explaining each song and why you put it there. Or you can let lyrics speak for themselves. Some songs will certainly have special meaning while others will gain one.

 

Do something new

There is certainly something you wanted to do as a couple for a while now but didn’t find the time before. To celebrate your anniversary, have champagne in a hot air balloon overlooking the amazing landscapes below and riding into the sunset. Or do something more exciting, like bungee jumping or go cave kayaking in Thailand.

However, it doesn’t have to be something so extreme and even a trip to a destination you always talked about visiting will suffice. Just plan ahead to get days off from work and to organize everything to be perfect. Doing something new together will be another wonderful thing to fondly remember and retell your friends.

Have a party

While celebrating your anniversary privately is the usual way it goes, some couples like to include their friends and family. After a romantic dinner, you may go back home and celebrate this special day with all other people in your life that mean a lot to you. But what will make this party different from any other is making a video where people send messages to you.

Another way to celebrate your anniversary with the party is by renewing your vows. You can do this in the company of a minister or priest, or just by yourselves. This will be the perfect way to send the message of love to each other and share it with everyone else special in your life.

 

Put extra effort into gifts

Traditionally, each anniversary has a designated type of gift. Thus, the first year is paper, second is cotton, the tenth is aluminium and so on. But there is also a modern take on this anniversary gift giving. Based on which the first anniversary is a clock, second is china and tenth is diamond jewellery.

Nonetheless, you can use the number of years you are celebrating to give an equal amount of gifts. Anniversary gifts should say that your partner is special to you, and thus the gift needs to be something that symbolizes that. You can buy something that you’ve been saving for a while and go to great lengths to find a unique item that your partner wanted for a long time.

 

Dedicate the day to each other

We live in a busy world where time is a commodity for many. So the best way to celebrate your love would actually be to spend that anniversary day together. You can do this any way you both see fit, there isn’t a formula that says which is the right way.

Therefore, if you decide to stay at home and have takeout, it’s fine. If you want to go to museums or the opera, that is okay too. It’s up to you both to decide which is the perfect way to celebrate your relationship and be closer to each other.

 

Write each other a letter

Although people in a relationship need to show their feelings for each other, not all do it the same way. However, words have always been the most usual and efficient way to truly tell someone how you feel. Therefore, use the words to do just that and write each other letters you will read on the day of your anniversary.

This is something that will be a lasting gift you can revisit whenever you want but will also help you express your feelings in the simplest way. Texts may be easier, but they don’t carry the emotions the way handwritten letters do.

   

Lavish flower delivery

When it comes to flowers, they are easy to send to anyone anywhere today. The gesture is all that counts in the end when you are unable to attend your anniversary personally. You can have flower delivery in Melbourne from New York or choose the most exotic blooms if you can afford them.

Alternatively, start off with sending one flower each day as the anniversary date moves closer. Include some romantic message with the blossom, one you personally wrote from the heart would be best.

Recreate the first date

Some couples had special first dates they cherish and like to tell others about. To honour your relationship, especially if it’s a special type of anniversary, relive that moment once again. Don’t be discouraged if the restaurant is not there anymore, or you have to travel to a foreign country for this.

Instead, use that to go on a couple of days of vacation together and be alone, or be creative with the dinner. Recreate the restaurant setting as much as you can at your home, and prepare the meals you had on your first date. This will surely amaze your partner and give you both a night to remember, again. 

 

Finally

Every relationship requires work no matter how effortless it may seem from the outside. These anniversary ideas will help you bring you closer together and remind you of the love you share. But also, they will help you rekindle the flame and stop for a while to admire how special that other person. As well as the time you spend together.