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How to Make Memories with Your Kids that Last Forever

April 20, 2020 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored guest post.

As moms, for sure, many of you can relate to the fact that nothing brings us more happiness than our kids. They bring incomparable joy, despite the many sleepless nights that we have to endure. Your kids won’t be young forever! Before they grow old and crave for independence, make happy memories with them and make sure that it will last forever. Read on and we’ll share some tips on how to do this.

 

  1. Store Your Photos Online

In this digital age, printing photos is no longer the norm, although it is still a good practice. A better alternative is to use an online photo book. This way, the photos will be easily accessible online. They are available anytime and anywhere. No need to worry that a fire would destroy them or that time would make the colors fade. Even after several years, online photos will still be full of life, making it a great way to preserve memories with your little ones.

 

  1. Transform Your Photos into a Puzzle

If you insist on still having the photos printed, a good idea is to print them in the form of a puzzle. This is a creative way to display photos at home. You can also finish the puzzle with your kid, and it will be a good opportunity to bond. Once done, have it framed to protect it from dirt and dust. If you are looking for an easy way to make custom puzzles out of your pictures, make sure to check out Shutterfly.

 

  1. Travel Together

Making memories with your kids should go beyond photos. It should also include experiences, such as traveling. Explore some of the best places to go with kids. It is not just an opportunity to build happy memories, but it also exposes kids to life outside what they are used to. Have fun in theme parks and water parks. Go museum hopping. Travelling can be expensive, so be creative in finding ways to make it more affordable. For instance, you can travel on a shoulder season. Stay in holiday rentals instead of hotels. Cook your food. Find discounted activities.

 

  1. Teach Your Kid How to Cook

When it comes to making memories with children, cooking is another good idea. At a young age, teach your kid how to have fun in the kitchen. Start by teaching him or her the basics. Once your kid is old enough, teach a family recipe that has been passed down through generations. This cherished recipe is sure to give your child a life-long memory of the time you spent together having fun cooking.

 

Make memories with your kids while they are young. You will regret not doing it once they are old. From storing your photos online to traveling as a family, consider our suggestions above to make long-lasting and happy memories.

 

Filed Under: parenting

Five Ways to Boost Computer Literacy in Your Kids While Schools Are Closed

April 3, 2020 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Product sample provided. This is a guest post by Natasha Hendrix, Customer Support Supervisor at Crucial.

Both at home and at school, it’s clear kids and adults are embracing the role electronic devices can play in education, social and physical development starting at an early age in childhood. With technology now such an integral part of children’s lives – especially as kids are home amid COVID-19 school closures – parents have an even greater responsibility to ensure kids understand and use good digital habits. Here’s a quick refresher lesson for parents as they help their kids navigate the delicate balance between online schooling resources and digital entertainment with five simple tips to boost computer literacy in kids.

Get a used, or less expensive computer

Most children master smartphones and iPads first. Once they’re used to limited screen time, parents might determine they’re ready for an upgrade. Before you rush out and buy the most state-of-the-art new desktop computer or laptop, think about those carpet stains, and remember kids can be clumsy with their belongings.

Buying a used, refurbished or less expensive computer or laptop, or better yet, giving kids your hand-me-down, provides substantial cost savings. You can also breathe a little easier after drops or lemonade spills.

Start with the basics

Turning on and restarting a smartphone is straightforward for most children but powering up a computer (especially a desktop) and turning it off properly may not come as naturally. Make sure to set your kids up for success by going through and showing them the basic steps for turning and logging on to their computer and monitor. It’s also vital for them to establish a good habit of saving their work often in case the computer unexpectedly freezes or crashes.

You should also equip children with a mouse. While kids know how to search the web and use apps on a phone with the flick of their thumb, they may not recognize the ways a mouse can increase efficiency or which buttons to click. And while they’re scrolling, it’s also good to remind them about McGruff’s top ten internet safety tips; things like never visit websites that aren’t parent approved, and never download or install any computer games or programs that mom and dad don’t know about.

Incorporate coding games

Gone are the days when coding seemed too difficult for the average computer user to learn, let alone a child. Research now shows it’s never too early to start building software. A recent survey of nearly 40,000 developers showed 21 percent of respondents started coding between the ages of 11 to 15, while almost 5 percent took up the hobby before they turned 10. Incorporating fun and interactive coding games early on can help kids learn the basic structure of a computer program without getting bogged down by the technical aspects of programming language. And who knows where an early interest and adeptness in coding or programming could take them in the future.

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Extend their computer’s life with a solid state drive

If your child’s used computer is starting to show some wear and tear, along with their patience as they wait for programs and games to load, consider extending its life with a solid state drive, or SSD. It takes a screwdriver and fewer than five minutes to install and provides good performance increase bang for your buck. Plus, upgrading your old hard drive to an SSD provides a substantial cost savings over buying a new computer, so you won’t have to shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for an upgrade.

Enforce screen time limits

OK, maybe limiting your kid’s screen time isn’t technically boosting their computer literacy. However, capping the amount of time they spend at the computer and on video games — and hopefully encouraging them to run around outside — encourages a healthy balance that will serve them well now and throughout their lives. Just because your child is home from school and wants to spend hours staring at a screen, doesn’t mean they should.

The American Heart Association’s latest findings show kids and teens ages 8 to 18 spend an average of more than seven hours a day looking at screens. AHA recommends limiting that screen time to two hours per day. For younger children, age 2 to 5, the recommendation drops to a single hour each day.

Physical activity, and a lack of it, is not the only concern. As children spend more time tethered to screens, medical providers also worry about the harmful impacts to their visual development. A recent study found school-aged children who spend long hours reading or on screens with use of computers and video games, have heightened their risk of myopia. Kids can also be affected by digital eye strain like adults and can experience dry eye, headaches, and blurry vision.

Teaching your kids how to live with digital limits, and eventually how to set their own, will help them create and practice healthy digital boundaries into adulthood as well.

While kids today are surrounded by technology options, parents still have a responsibility to make sure they’re setting their children up for safety and success. This extra time being spent at home is the perfect reason to re-strategize the family’s relationship with technology because fostering healthy computer use from the start will help equip them with the fundamentals they’ll need to maintain good habits for life.

Filed Under: personal, Tech

Vintage Weddings: Make Your Day a Blast From the Past

March 3, 2020 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Vintage Weddings: Make Your Day a Blast From the Past
This is a sponsored guest post.

As we move into a more digital age, we find ourselves looking to the past to influence present-day styles and fashions. That has become even more obvious when it comes to weddings, as vintage weddings have become increasingly popular.

If you want to make your vintage wedding dreams come true, you’ll have to know where to start. Here’s our guide to help you figure out where to start when planning your vintage weddings.

Do Your Research

Before diving into your vintage wedding planning, it’s important to do your research. Vintage is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of different styles from rustic to romantic. Your first step should be figuring out what category your idea of a vintage wedding falls under.

Not only will this allow you to narrow down your research, but you’ll also find additional details that will help you plan an authentically vintage wedding. With the plethora of information and photos available online, there will be no shortage of inspiration.

Plan the Big Details with Vintage in Mind

There are three major details that will make or break your vintage wedding — your wedding dress, your venue, and decor. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to combine your wish to plan a vintage wedding and keep everything functional. That said, your dress, venue, and decor should all feature a vintage touch that reinforces the vintage aesthetic and feel that you are looking for.

Whether you get your wedding dress from a store or wear one that has been passed down in your family, you should choose your dress for its features. For example, a minimalist or intricately designed lace dress can create an authentic vintage feel.

You can dress up even the most modern of venues to sport a more vintage look by working with a talented designer that truly brings your vision to life. Finally, your decor can be as unique as you are. You can choose even a single element, such as your table centerpieces, to make a vintage statement that creates lasting memories for both you and your guests.

Vintage Engagement and Wedding Rings

Every vintage wedding should start with a vintage engagement ring. Some of the most popular options for vintage engagement rings are Victorian-era rings or art deco style rings.

A Victorian-style ring is known for its gold finish with either a delicate or bold design. Typically these rings have a solitaire stone set in the middle. You can customize the stone and design to suit your personal style, but keeping to a traditional Victorian design will be the best feature of your authentic vintage wedding.

An art deco engagement ring is styled after the time period between the 1920s and the 1940s. This style is primarily ornamental and features distinct and intricate filigree with geometric designs. Art deco takes its inspiration from the artwork of the period, under the same name.

Additionally, if you want to really commit to the vintage style engagement ring, an aquamarine and diamond pairing is the perfect way to do it. This classic and timeless pairing exudes elegance and sophistication.

Regardless of your wedding planning decisions, it’s important to remember that while planning can be overwhelming, it’s supposed to be fun. You get to make your vintage dreams come true!

Filed Under: personal, wedding

Is It Time For Us To Start Embracing The Esports Revolution?

February 26, 2020 by Guest Post Leave a Comment

Is It Time For Us To Start Embracing The Esports Revolution?
This is a sponsored guest post.

Last year a 16-year-old from Pennsylvania earned $3 million by winning the solo competition at the Fortnite World Cup. Another 16-year-old from California was given $1.2 million for finishing third, while a 15-year-old from Essex in England scooped $1.1 million by seizing the runner-up prize in the duos event.

Teenagers can now earn life-changing sums by simply playing video games at elite levels. More than 80 gamers have now earned more than $1 million alone through their exploits with a mouse, keyboard or controller, and the majority are teens and young adults. Is it time for more parents to start embracing the esports revolution?

A Cultural Phenomenon

Teenagers now have the perfect riposte when parents demand that they put down the controller and do their homework. You can become an overnight millionaire by excelling at video gamers, putting parents in an awkward position.

However, parents should not fear competitive gaming. Detrimental myths about video games abound, but it is time to debunk them and show parents that their children can benefit – not just financially – by getting involved in esports.

The most popular esports are MOBA games like League of Legends and Dota 2. They are featured prominently on leading industry sites like Unikrn.com, they typically dominate the Twitch rankings, and tournaments like the LoL Worlds and The International generate a tremendous buzz. The International 2019 carried prize money of $34.3 million, making it the richest esports tournament of all time.

These games really encourage STEM learning. The pros typically come from science, technology, engineering and mathematics backgrounds, and esports encourages youngsters to develop these skills. It then celebrates an aptitude for these areas by turning gamers into millionaire superstars with legions of adoring fans.

Other popular esports include CS:GO and Overwatch, which require teamwork, communication, problem solving and other vital skills. These help teenagers thrive in the world of business, even if they do not make it as star gamers.

Schools Back Esports

It is important to remember that video games are not making children isolated or antisocial any more. Most games are online, multiplayers pursuits. They allow friends to join forces and take on opposing teams in thrilling battles, or make new friends across the world and bond over a shared fondness for a particular game.

Vast online communities give people a sense of belonging, while a number of LAN events frequently bring people out of their bedrooms and into the real world.

Schools are also backing the esports revolution. One in five K-12 schools already have an esports program, and 71% are considering it, according to a survey from eCampus News and Extreme Networks in August 2019.

They know that taking part in extracurricular activities keeps students out of trouble, offers a sense of belonging, boosts their academic performance and attendance rate, and helps them contribute positively to the wider school ecosystem.

Traditionally that would come through sports like football, basketball and athletics, but schools can no longer afford to ignore the esports revolution.

How Big Is Competitive Gaming?

You have probably heard talk of the growing popularity of competitive gaming, but just how big is it? The primary research group in this sector is Newzoo, and it estimates that there were 454 million esports viewers in 2019. That is predicted to increase to 645 million by 2022.

The Asia Pacific region accounts for more than half of that figure. Just 12% of viewers are in North America, but the number continues to grow. Newzoo values the esports industry at $1.1 billion, but that does not include the vast sums earned by the publishers of titles like League of Legends and Fortnite, which both made more than $1 billion in 2019.

This is no longer a geeky, niche hobby. It is big business, and brands like Intel, Mastercard, Coca-Cola and Red Bull are piling in. The scene is becoming increasingly flush with cash, and that translates to more jobs, more tournaments, higher levels of professionalism and organization, a slicker viewing experience and more pro gamers.

The Future is Bright

Yet the esports scene is still in its infancy. Its potential for future growth is vast. Many experts believe it will eventually eclipse traditional sports in terms of popularity, economic heft and viewership figures. That might sound fanciful, but recent news items would suggest otherwise.

All manner of traditional sports franchises have been investing heavily in the pro gaming scene. The Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the NBA teams with major esports projects. Leading soccer teams like PSG and Man City are getting involved. NFL team owners regularly invest in esports, along with celebrities, tech entrepreneurs, singers, rappers and actors.

They all recognize the potential of esports. It is a lot more dynamic than traditional sports, as it takes advantage of technological developments to constantly offer an enhanced viewing experience. New games regularly shake up the scene and drive it forwards, whereas traditional sports look static by comparison.

Esports appeal to young people that have grown up with technology, and they will continue to grow at the expense of sports like baseball, golf and so on. Traditional sports teams have realized that it is futile to try to beat them, so they are joining the revolution instead. It is time for parents to get on board too.

 

Filed Under: parenting, personal

Blogging 101: How To Jumpstart A Mommy Blog

November 5, 2019 by Guest Post 1 Comment

How To Jumpstart A Mommy Blog
This is a sponsored guest post.

A lot of moms out there might think blogging fits “the young ones,” and that they’re too busy with tasks for the day and the household that a Mommy Blog will just “take too much” of your time. However, it helps to realize that having a Mommy Blog won’t be just to entertain or have a hobby. In fact, a lot of Mommy Blogs can be a source of income, or even a way to connect with other moms all over the world. How exactly can you make this work, though? Well, before we dive into the specifics, let’s go over the basics of doing a Mommy Blog. Here’s generally what you need:

See if you want to allocate a budget to blogging. Yes, you’ve heard us right – a budget. Blogging can be something you do for free – a lot of people actually blog as a hobby, or something to do with their free time. However, if you’ve seen bloggers, vloggers, and content creators earning money through their craft and want to do the same, you need to set aside time and resources to plan your way to profitable blogging. When we ask for a budget, this means the kind of budget you’ll be willing to allocate to things like good web design, potential advertisements, and your own domain. These are all things that not only can help make your blog more creative and unique, but also help set you up for profitable blogging and content marketing.

  • Free is best, but it helps to set aside a bit of money to make your blog authentically yours. Free website services exist, but that means attaching their names to your website URL. If you want to make a unique website, you have to start with claiming the essentials – and this means thinking about whether you want to have a unique domain (the website address), a web host (the service that handles all your site content) and if you want a web design team to build the site for you.
  • Test multiple services first before settling to one. While a lot of websites “attest” the popularity of their preferred website service, try to test out their features and website offerings before you decide on something you want. While a lot of website makers generally work the same way, they usually have little tidbits that can make or break the website-making experience.
  • When paying for a service, try checking modes of payment and terms and conditions for your services. A lot of bloggers tend to rely on online payment options such as My Premier credit card for payments like these, especially when they look for international services.

Build your website. Who says you have to be imbued with intense programming knowledge to be able to build a blog? A ton of services online exist that can help you build your site for free – be it WordPress, or even Wix, among others. A lot of these websites tend to be “drag-and-drop,” too, where you simply drag elements you want in your blog and that’s about it. Before you start your blog, build your website first – be it a standalone blog, or something with multiple pages. What better way to start your blog than to start it with a dash of creativity, right?

 

  • Start with the most basic features you need. You definitely need an About Page that tells about you as an author, and a Blog feature that lets you post your blogs. What else do you need? When you have an idea of essential features your site should have, prioritize making web pages for those. You can add other features later on.
  • Branding is important when building your website. When you choose colors or add logos or add images, make sure they are consistent with the kind of message you want your blog to share with others.
  • When using a website service, take a look at their premium features and make a list of the ones you want to avail eventually. Regardless of the price, try listing them down and looking at how they work in action on sites like YouTube or other videos. While you might not buy them yet, knowing what potential features strike your fancy can help you build a game plan for your site in the future.

Identify your niche and stick with it. Just because you’re starting to write a “Mommy Blog” doesn’t mean it always has to be about motherhood and parenting. There’s a ton of aspects of being moms and being parents that you can tackle in a blog, and you’ll likely find an audience depending on the kind of pieces you write. While thinking of your blog, think of a concept and a “focus” you want to approach. When you have these specifics in mind, writing becomes much easier for you, and content ideas will spring to life because you have a focus.

  • Even if you’re writing a blog for moms, you can still have a more specific niche or genre for your audiences. This topic can come from anywhere – your history, your habits, your passion, and even your academic training. For instance, psychology-inclined moms can talk more about parenthood and raising kids. Likewise, if you’re a single mom, you can write blogs about dating as a mom. The possibilities are endless.
  • When you find a niche you like, try to set aside time to make a list of topics you’ll be writing about under this niche. Try to look around the internet for “hot topics” in your niche, and list them down. When you start writing, focus on these first as these hot topics will likely bring you a lot of attention from readers.

Be aware of your audience and try to reach out to them. When you have a niche or genre you want your Mommy Blog to approach, it’s time to identify the kind of readers you want. While it helps to cater to all sorts of readers, having a specific audience makes it easier for you to write pieces as a new blog. Your audience can range from new moms, to grandmas, to mommy chefs, or even to single moms wanting to get back to the dating scene. When you identify your audience, try to research ways to reach out to them, and see if this is the kind of audience you want to talk to for a long amount of time.

  • Think of the kind of people you want to be reading your blog. This will likely help zero in on the tone and message you’ll write for them. If you want to focus on beauty tips for moms, you’ll likely focus on a cheerful tone and a positive message that “you’ll be able to be the best version of yourself through self-expression.” Likewise, if you want to focus on single moms looking for dates, your tone will likely be authoritative but friendly, and focus on building your audience’s confidence. When you identify the kind of readers you want, you’ll likely identify the kind of impact you want your blog to have on them.
  • With your audience in mind, look around the internet for where you’ll likely find these people. Are they in forums, communities, and other online groups? Try to bookmark these, join them, and interact with your audiences to identify their needs and what they might look for in a blog. When you start writing, try to refer them to pieces you write, which can lead them to read your page.

Think about the long term. How long do you plan on blogging and running your Mommy Blog? While it’s not always good to think about “how things will end,” it might help to think ahead before you pursue your Mommy Blog. Nothing beats a good goal than a lack of follow-through, so you need to be aware of your goals ahead. What do you plan on doing with your blog? Do you want to eventually sell your site to someone else? Do you want to form a community for moms? Do you just want a medium to store your memories with your family?

  • If you’re along the lines of bloggers who want to make money out of building websites, you can start planning to build your website’s credibility and reputation by connecting with peers and other websites of similar genres. We suggest you eventually dabble into what’s called link building, where you improve your website’s popularity in search engines like Google by writing guest blogs and always linking back to reputable sites. When you do this, you’ll likely be able to sell off your website for a high price.
  • If you want to grow a community, you should start looking into creating content for social media as well. You can connect your blog to your social media (or social media accounts for your blog) in order to widen your reach. This can make writing blogs a lot more fun, as you can get the input of your other readers.
  • What other features do you want your blog to have? Do you want to eventually have an eCommerce website? Do you want to host webinars? Do you want to have a chat feature for fans? Identify these so you’ll have a better understanding of your goals.

You Can Make Your Mommy Blog Real!

 

When you work on something like a blog, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the many elements associated with it. After all, if you want to grow your blog into a community or make profit from it, you’ll inevitably have to read up on a couple of things. And, of course, readings can get overwhelming – especially for moms like you that have household duties and stuff on their personal life to deal with. Hopefully, with the above tips, you’ll get encouraged to pursue your dream to make your Mommy Blog a reality – and, hey, hopefully you’ll be able to make it a normal part of your life as well!

Filed Under: blogging, personal

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