• Home
  • About MomStart
  • Contact Me
  • Today’s Topic
  • Savings
  • Disclosure/Terms of Use
  • Cart
  • Purchases

MomStart

Forget the Mommy Guilt, it's a new day

  • Tech The Halls Holiday Gift Guide 2020
  • Movies
  • Travel
  • Tech
  • Recipes
  • Crafts
You are here: Home / Archives for rants

5 Things First-Time Investors Need to Know

January 24, 2018 by Momstart 3 Comments

By Avi Lele, co-founder and CEO of Stockpile

You’ve finally decided to take the plunge and invest in the market. Here are five important things you should consider when investing in the market for the very first time:

5 Things First-Time Investors Need to Know

 

5 Things First-Time Investors Need to Know

 

1. Take the long view: Despite booms and busts, remember that over the last 100+ years, the stock market has historically performed better than bonds and real estate, and certainly better than cash sitting in a bank account. $1,000 invested in 1900 would have been worth close to $20 million in 1999! A 10+ year time horizon can help you keep perspective and weather the ups and downs of the market. 

2. Invest at your comfort level: If you’re considering an investment in the stock market, make sure you’re only putting in an amount that you can afford to lose. Remember, that during one week in September 2008, the market plunged 18 percent and on Black Monday of 1987, the market fell more than 22 percent in a single day.

3. Diversify your investments: It’s tempting to put all your money in one investment, but diversification is an important principle in any portfolio you decide to build.  Not sure which set of companies are right for you? Consider an investment in an index fund, such as the S&P 500. This allows an investor to have exposure to a wide variety of the largest stocks.

4. Actively follow your investments: Have you invested in individual companies? If you have, you should follow the news as well as the quarterly and annual reports of these companies, which are all available online. You can also listen in on the earnings calls of these companies and hear how management teams respond to some of the hard-hitting questions asked by professional investors. You’ll learn a lot in the process and it will help you hone your investment skills and help you in your future investment decisions.

5. Invest as consistently as you can: Nobody really knows what will happen in the future – it’s very hard to be successful by timing the markets. If you can set aside 10 percent regularly from your paycheck for investment, you’ll be way ahead of most people and that cushion will add up over time.

It has never been as easy and affordable to access the stock market as it is today. At Stockpile, we’re seeing many first-time investors join us since anyone can now buy any dollar amount of stock on our platform.

Stockpile lets people invest at any dollar amount (starting at $1) through fractional shares. This makes it easier to invest at a comfort level that’s right for you – a 10 percent loss on a $1 investment is just ten cents.

At Stockpile, we also provide access to indices through exchange traded funds (ETFs) and there are many to choose – from country specific ETFs such as a China or Brazil Index to commodity ETFs such as gold.

About the Author:

Avi Lele is the Co-Founder and CEO of Stockpile, a company whose mission is to make the stock market accessible to everyone in an easy and affordable way.

Filed Under: random, rants, savings

Top Ten Best Hoverboards For Beginners

January 17, 2018 by Momstart 2 Comments

Although they don’t exactly hover, being more like a Segway without a handle, hoverboards are still undeniably cool. Not only that, but they can be a great way of getting around the house in style, and perfect for honing your balance and just having fun. But which hoverboards are best for total beginners, who need to get some practice under their belts? These are our top ten best hoverboards. Of course we have to start off our top ten hoverboards with the one Beeb just reviewed.
Top Ten Hoverboards

 

Top Ten Best Hoverboards

The GOTRAX HOVERFLY Hoverboard

Then let me introduce the GOTRAX HOVERFLY hoverboard! These sweet rides include self-balancing technology, a Training Mode option to get you rolling faster, and a variety of space-age colors like Planetary Purple. Talk about living in the future!

 

Self Balancing Scooter Hover board UL2272

This is a great little hover board, with a 36 volt batter that only takes 3 hours to fully charge. It has a maximum speed of 8mph and a maximum load of 220lbs. It is compact, only 23” across and under 7” high, making it a very good one for putting away or transporting. It comes in six awesome colors, including the trendy rose gold.

VEEKO Self Balancing Scooter Hoverboard with LED Indicator Lights

This is a highly safe scooter that balances itself perfectly. It features a professional gyroscope and an acceleration sensor, as well as a servo-control system, all of which guarantee balance. The tires are non-skid and shock absorbing and the whole hoverboard is made out of durable materials and includes a one year warranty.

SagaPlay F1 Self Balancing Scooter Motorized 2 Wheel Self Hover Balance Board

A slightly more expensive model, this one is well suited to travelling outdoors. It can cover 9 miles on a single charge, yet is portable enough to carry if it runs out. It charges fully in two hours, and has a battery indicator too. It is self-balancing, shock-absorbing and features rubber tires.

Hoverboard Two-wheel Self-balancing Scooter

This reasonably priced hoverboard is one of the fastest we’ve seen, with a maximum 9.6km/h, making it considerably faster than walking. The wheels are in aluminum with rubber tires, for durability. What is more, the battery lasts up to 6 hours.

TOMOLOO Hoveroard with Bluetooth Speaker and Lights

This hoverboard features the most sophisticated mainboard program to make sure you are steady and safe when using it. It can cover up to 12 miles at 8mph, and carries over 260lbs. It is also one of the most stylish we have seen, featuring a bluetooth speaker and flashing LED lights. The motors are silent so your music can be heard much better too.

Self-Balancing Scooter 2 Wheels Electric Hoverboard

If you want a hoverboard to reduce your use of fuel, this design is even more eco-friendly due to its low energy consumption. It is fully self-balancing and carries up to 200lbs, making it perfect for busy teens as well. The battery charges in 3h and can last you for 12km, at 12km/h. This makes it substantially better than walking.

Skque X1/I Series – UL2272 Self-Balancing Scooter / Hoverboard

This is a much more expensive scooter, but it is worth it. It has all the usual features. It balances itself well, even under maximum load, going forward and back, spinning in circles, etc. But it also features an improved, robust frame and bigger, stronger wheels. What is more, it includes bluetooth speakers and LED lights bright enough to guide you at night. It comes in 20 amazingly cool designs too.

Spadger Self Balancing Scooter UL2272 Certified Electric Hoverboard

This hoverboard is made of highly durable materials and has a brushless motor, so it can climb steep slopes and travel 12 miles in one charge. Its LED lights are powerful enough for night use.

Official Halo Rover Hoverboard

Another more expensive scooter, but with several safety features including a fireproof motor, Bluetooth and app enabling, and all-terrain features, it is made for maximum fun. You are guaranteed to enjoy every minute on it.

EPIKGO Self Balancing Scooter Hover Self-Balance Board

Although this product is another more expensive one, it is built to last, with robust wheels, a durable frame, and a powerful dual motor. It comes in three beautiful colors.

Filed Under: random, rants, Top Ten

10 Foods That Cleanse The Liver

July 24, 2017 by Momstart 1 Comment

clip_image001

The modernity of our lives has spared us so much pleasure and fun, why not? With so much pleasure, we unconsciously have cultured habits that could be detrimental in any aspect of our life, the liver. Since it is a primary need for survival, with the emerging fads in food and drinks, we indulge in them that unknowingly contain lots of toxins in our body. Tolerance, that’s what it is and just because our tongue felt savory while feeling ecstatic to try new tastes, we thought that’s cool. Blame it to our taste buds, then! We consume so much that we fail to look deeper into our food and drink intake. Below we will share 10 Foods That cleanse the liver.

Worst case scenario, we’ve gotten some common and a little bit serious health problems you can imagine. First attack goes to our digestive system, namely- diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea and vomiting, etc. If further tolerated, worst may extend to become worse! Over time, minor becomes major.

Our body is such a wonder creation because it has countless ways to fend away those agents of diseases. We have our own immune system which does most of the job, but little do we know that other organ in our body can actually also help fight through cleansing or detoxifying toxic chemicals that we intake daily through our food and drinks.

This one is not just a whole systematically working, but just one organ, multitasking, but still makes a very well-done job in cleaning chemicals just unnecessary for our body, like cleanse the liver. Being renowned as the largest gland and among the four organs that excrete wastes such as the kidneys, intestines, and skin, the liver has multiple roles in sustaining the body’s overall wellness like synthesis and storage. Setting them aside, one of liver’s main functions is detoxifying.

How does it detoxify? First, when intestines finish digesting our food and as products flow through the blood, blood rushes to the liver then takes over in filtering that blood out. It takes 4 liters of blood every minute for the detox which eventually goes to the heart to be distributed every part of our body.

How Does the Liver Detoxify?

Whatever we eat contains chemicals that are either helpful or harmful to our body. The liver does the aftercare for cleansing out harmful chemicals, especially from food additives, food coloring, preservatives, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, agricultural chemicals in the foods we purchase in the markets, alcohol and medications. Surprisingly, it also detoxifies fumes, air pollution, drugs and many other factors.

All the sources of toxins mentioned can only be dissolved with fats, the liver then converts them into something easily dissolved with water to be easily excreted out of the body. There are two phases in detoxification. Phase 1 neutralizes toxins for phase 2. Phase 2 converts it into less toxic materials. During these two phases, antioxidants like glutathione, and substances like cysteine, glycine or sulfur help counteract toxins to be harmless. Consequently, they become water-soluble then become incorporated to the bile (which makes the color of the feces) or urine.

There are a hundred other antioxidants and chemicals that help neutralize these toxins. Now that we know how toxins are washed away by these friendly chemicals, let’s look at the top 10 high sources of detoxifiers.

10 Foods That Cleanse The Liver

1. Garlic

clip_image002

Garlic is rich in allusion and selenium- the two richest sources of nutrients for the liver, which activate enzymes that cleanse the blood during detoxification. Ellison can drive off invaders of the immune system that lighten up its load. Not just that, garlic can also help lower cholesterol and triglycerides that, like the heart, it destructed with such faults may impede normal functioning.

Use garlic cloves in your dishes if possible, preferably raw and not processed.

2. Beets and Carrots

Both are fully-loaded with beta-carotene and plant flavonoids that boost liver function at full blast! Carrots are rich in glutathione, which is helpful in detoxifier as mentioned while beets are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and more which are blood purifier from toxins.

Make a salad that includes these two as you mix it with olive or coconut oil and lemon juice.

3. Apple

It is high in pectin, known to wash away toxins in the digestive tract, making liver worry less when it purifies blood. It also contains malic acid, which is good at removing carcinogens and other toxins out of the blood. Simply munching on apples is already a good way to indulge in its nutrients and taste. However, make sure that they are organic otherwise they might have come from commercialized farms. Thus, they use harmful pesticides.

4. Avocados

Not only are good source of healthy oils, but they also contain high levels of glutathione, which as discussed, is a neutralizer of toxins for the proper functioning and for a lesser damage to the liver.

Eating 1-2 avocados a week may help reduce liver damage.

5. Lemon and Limes

clip_image003

Lemons are widely known to be rich in Vitamin C and that is true! In fact, its role in liver-cleansing is to boost mineral absorption by the liver. They are also rich in antioxidants such ass D-Limonene. Moreover, despite its acidity, it can also neutralize toxins or wastes as a head start for the whole digestion.

Simple lemonade can be your daily detoxifier by adding 1 lemon to a liter of water. Chopped lemon and/or honey can be added.

6. Leafy Green

Leafy and green veggies like spinach, lettuce, arugula, chicory, mustard greens, kale, and etc. possess chlorophylls that give a hand to the liver in neutralizing toxic chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals. Including them in your diet will increase bile production- the substance that aid removing waste from organs to blood.

Just add any of these veggies in your salad or meal. Also make sure that they are organic or, if any chance, produced from your own backyard because market sources could be at risk from chemicals.

7. Turmeric

The spice is known to have various health benefits including the liver through producing more bile. It also detoxifies by activating enzymes that continually eliminate carcinogens we might intake in our diet.

There is powdered turmeric available in the market. Mixing it with hot water added with honey is already good to enjoy your cup.

8. Healthy Fats

Healthy fat sources like avocados, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds along with Chia seeds, flax seeds, olives and coconut are great for enlarging bile production. Prevent moist oils as they can make your liver function less. Cold-pressed organic oils like the olive and flax seeds are good lipid bases that anchor absorption of toxins.

The mentioned nuts can just be eaten raw or along with a salad as well as olive or coconut oils.

9. Green Tea

They are rich in antioxidants called catechins that improve liver function. Catechins also help in breaking down lipids in the liver and especially crucial for those with the accumulation of fats in their liver. Lastly, green tea is also a good purifier for alcohol.

Drinking 2-3 cups a day is satisfying enough. Honey can be added if desired.

10. Alternative Grains

clip_image004

If your diet is gluten-rich grains such as wheat or rye, it actually escalates your liver’s detox workload and enzyme production. It is better to make his job a little bit less hard, isn’t it? Other alternative grains like quinoa, millet and buckwheat sure make his job a little bit easier.

A gradual switch to these kinds of grains like eating them once or twice a week while surrendering or lessening intake of wheat and the likes would give a difference in your liver health.

There you have it! There is a handful other food sources which could be just a hand-reach to you. Generally speaking, for your overall health, it is just wise to take more care of your liver. Consuming foods that are rich in fiber, antioxidants, glutathione, and healthy oils are what gives joy to your liver. It’s also good to remember to choose wisely of these kinds of food, for instance, that they should be organic. Loving liver is a lifer.

Jennifer Moran

clip_image001[4]

Jennifer Moran is the author and the social media manager at HealthandFitnessVitality.com. She has been working and passionate with writing for over four years. When she isn’t glued to a laptop screen, she spends time playing tennis, practicing yoga, and trying very hard not to sleep in the meditation. You can reach her at jennifer (at) healthandfitnessvitality (dot) com. HealthandFitnessVitality.

Filed Under: guest post, health, random, rants, Top Ten Tagged With: 10 foods that cleanse the liver, cleanse the liver, Top Ten

5 Ways to Declare Peace at Home

July 3, 2017 by Momstart 1 Comment

This is a fun post presented by Serta.

Declaration of Peace at Home

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Sleepiness

We hold these truths to be self-evident, since not all households are created equal: 2017-PS

  1. I declare we will give our electronics a curfew

Swap your phones and late-night TV out for family board game night and prime reading time! Children who use devices at night that emit blue light (cell phones, TV screens, computers) reported having fewer hours of sleep per week and increased daytime sleepiness. Help your family avoid drowsiness and embrace the summer mornings feeling refreshed.

  1. I declare we will create bedroom sanctuaries

Design your home’s bedrooms to be a relaxing oasis! For House of Harper blogger and Serta Comfort Crew member Caroline Harper Knapp, that means “lighting a candle, having fresh flowers on hand and a few favorite snapshots of our family that always brings a smile to my face.” Find what environment is most calming for you and your family!

3. 3.   I declare we will skip nighttime soda

Did you know it takes around six hours for your body to get rid of just half of the caffeine from a coffee or soda? Replacing dinner time soda with low-sugar, caffeine-free alternatives will cut down on pre-bed jitters and ensure a more restful night of sleep.

  1. I declare to pay more attention to our mattresses

Actress Jamie Lynn-Sigler recognizes the importance of a relaxing night of sleep and says her mattress is of the utmost importance, which is why she partnered with Serta. The Serta® Perfect Sleeper® mattress is the only official mattress of the National Sleep Foundation and is engineered to help common summer sleep issues like tossing and turning, sleeping too hot and partner disturbance.

  1. I declare we will establish a nighttime routine

With longer days and brighter nights, it’s harder to get yours kids to wind down during bedtime. Establishing a nighttime routine with relaxing activities like taking a bath and reading a book will help prepare both you and your children for a full night of rest. The National Sleep Foundation says a nighttime routine will help cue your child’s brain that it’s time to go to sleep.

2017-PS1

Filed Under: random, rants, Top Ten

7 Tips for Buying A New Mattress

June 29, 2017 by Momstart 1 Comment

7 Tips for Buying A New Mattress

image

Rest easy by ‘test-driving’ several models and checking for certified foam

By Michele Ostrove

A mattress is one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make for your family – after all, you spend approximately about one-third of your life in bed. In many ways, it’s like buying a car: research and comparison-shopping are essential; comfort, safety, and budget are key considerations; and the number of choices can feel overwhelming. But don’t lose sleep over it! These seven tips can help you find the mattress of your dreams:

1. Size matters. If you are sharing a bed, you should buy at least a queen-size mattress. A healthy person moves 40-60 times a night and makes lots of full-body turns. For sound sleep, you need freedom of motion.

2. Test-drive different models. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can easily slip off so you can lie down – it’s the only way to determine what feels right for you. Compare a variety of firmness levels and styles within your budget constraints. Your mattress and foundation should support your body at all pressure points (check your alignment in a good standing posture). Beyond that, firmness is a personal choice. 

3. Look “under the hood.” Ask the salesperson to show you illustrated or actual “cutaways” of the interior of the different mattresses and foundations so you can see what’s inside. The mechanics of innersprings and foams vary widely, which can greatly affect comfort.

4. Find a reputable dealer. Furniture stores, department stores, and sleep specialty shops all sell mattresses. Ask friends and family for referrals. If you don’t feel your salesperson is knowledgeable or helpful, take your business elsewhere.

5. Go for the best value, not the lowest price. To ensure long-term performance, buy the highest-quality sleep set you can afford. View it as a long-term partnership.

6. Get the details.  If you choose the convenience of buying a mattress online, you won’t have the chance to try it out, so, read the reviews, carefully check return and shipping policies – and be certain there’s customer support should a problem arise. Do they ensure that your satisfaction is guaranteed without extra costs and hassles?

7. Be sure it contains certified foam. A growing number of consumers want to be assured the polyurethane foam used in their bedding (and upholstered furniture, too) are low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) for indoor air quality and made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants, ozone depleters, formaldehyde, lead, mercury or other heavy metals, and phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. A new resource for consumers is CertiPUR-US, a not-for-profit certification program for flexible polyurethane foam. Find a list of companies selling products containing certified polyurethane foam in the consumer section of www.certipur.us.

You’re on your way to getting a better night’s sleep!

Michele Ostrove is a Santa Fe based freelance writer who frequently writes about sleep and health.

Filed Under: random, rants

5 Hidden Benefits of Playing Board Games

May 17, 2017 by Momstart 2 Comments

5 Hidden Benefits of Playing Board Games

Weekends are perfect occasions to pull out your favorite board games and get the entire family to join the table for a great game night. The cherry moments of playing together can be a wonderful learning experience for everyone – be them kids or adults or senior citizens. The magical power of board games benefits you in several ways even without your knowledge.

IMG_1307[1]

Aren’t you interested to know the hidden benefits of playing board games?

1. Keeps Your Mind Sharp

Don’t sit relaxed thinking you’re keeping yourself active by physical exercise. Your brain too needs exercise to be active, especially in old age, to reduce chances of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. No, no, you don’t need to go back to school or tuition to boost your brain power. Reminisce old board games, which you would love to play in childhood. It’s time to start with them again to let your brain practice important skills. If you think it’s kiddish, let me explain this to you.

Old, retired people often run through depression because they suddenly find themselves to be too free and cannot cope with the situation and feel miserable. Board games drive away their feeling of insecurity by taking them in a joyful play ride where they can spend unlimited hours with co-players interacting. It aids them to continually brush up their STEM, social, intellectual, and creative skills that start fading away in old age.

2. Brings Different Generations Together

The best way to spend time with children is to join them in play. You can burn all your stress spending some happy hours of playing board games with them. Kids always seek for company to play. Old family members also wonder how to pass the time.

How about a board game table and three generations, grand parents, parents, and kids, sitting together to spend some amazing moments together? If kids get the opportunity to interact with grand parents through board games, they will learn great values. From other aspect what can be the better way to develop a feeling of existential security among elders?

3. Aids in Child Development

Board games have immense contribution in overall child development. These games not only build educational skills in them but also inculcate valuable life lessons for their good mental health. Children continually practice logical and reasoning skills, negotiation skills, STEM Skills even without their know in the enjoyable, playful experience. They get to taste the flavor of losing and realize the meaning of true sportsmanship and team play. Moreover, the space of their strategical thinking broadens through this board game.

Children always feel warm and safe in the company of parents. You can quite easily zeal with kids in a board game table. These fun-loving hours in your company excite kids and they never feel ignored or not being loved.

4. Teaches Us to Be Calm and Patient

Usually, we all sit in a circle in a board game table and wait for our turn to come. This turn taking and waiting sometimes become difficult even for adults. This is a great lesson for everybody how to be patient. Board games also involve being interactive and strategic. It teaches us to observe initially, then judge, and finally act. Also, we get to practice good listening habit, which guides us all through our life.

5. Benefits Your Health in Several Ways

Board games carry a great therapeutic effect to cure us from several health problems. It helps our immune system to function in a much better way. You must be wondering how? The happy hours of playing board games evoke positivity in us and release stress, hence boost our immune system to function strongly. The wonderful moments of playing together make us laugh driving away any possibility of depression. Board games make us laugh, and laughter releases endorphins, which aid our muscle to relax and blood to circulate well. Proper blood circulation maintains balance in our blood pressure level.

This New, Unique Game Is Great

Do you know about the new squirrel game that is going to be launched in a few days? This tabletop game ‘It’s A Squirrel’s Life’ is going popular day by day because of its fresh theme. It will take you on a journey to a tree squirrel’s world. The unique part is that Randy Hecht’s animal loving nature inspired him to invent this game. He even intends to donate a certain percentage of proceed to local animal charities. The fund-raising campaign of this game is currently going on Kickstarter.

This educational game is for all generations to enjoy together. This game will not only grow STEM, negotiation, social, and creative skills in kids, but also will contribute in overall child development. Isn’t this a good idea to be a help to the creators of this board game? After all they’re giving back to the community in a positive way.

A Final Takeaway

You often face hardships in managing multiple responsibilities of a domestic life. Think how it will be if you don’t need to worry that much about kids and elders. Your task will be almost half.

As discussed, board games can truly contribute in shaping the personality of children and in giving positive motivation to elders. So, when are you planning to start playing?

Filed Under: guest post, random, rants, Top Ten

5 Gluten Free Snacks For Camping

May 15, 2017 by Momstart 2 Comments

Going camping and in need of gluten free snacks? We have five great gluten free snacks perfect for going camping. Whether you are enjoying the great outdoors with family or alone, these packaged snacks are convenient and affordable additions to the adventure that won’t spoil.

5 Gluten Free Snacks

5 Gluten Free Snacks for Camping

  • Chips
    • Good Health Organic Black Bean & Rice Tortillas – perfect for munching next to the fire, these organic and gluten-free tortilla chips are a sneaky way to get in 5 veggies in every bite.
  • Fruit Chips
    • Bare Organic Toasted Coconut Chips – baked (not dried or fried), these crunchy coconut chips are made with only 3 ingredients and are a good source of fiber.
  • Cookies
    • Enjoy Life Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Mini Cookies – delicious soft all-natural cookies, free from the top eight common allergens, packed with wholesome ingredients that boast satisfying flavor in every bit.
  • Chocolate – for s’mores!
    • Alter Eco Dark Blackout – this simple dark chocolate bar is perfect for s’mores beside the fire after a long day hiking and exploring nature.
  • Popped Corn
    • G.H. Cretors Popped Corn – obsessively delicious popcorn continues, with all popcorn varieties made with high-quality, real ingredients, like premium aged cheddar cheese, at the G.H. Cretors facility in Waukegan, Illinois.

Filed Under: random, rants, Top Ten

5 Ways to Take Five

May 12, 2017 by Momstart Leave a Comment

5 ways to take 5 mom

I have always taken Zoe’s pictures over and over again and in this one it really looks like she’s telling me to hold on mom I need five minutes. So it made me remember how moms need to take 5. Here are 5 ways to take 5.

5 Ways to Take 5 Mom

1. Go to the store by yourself – It’s important to have time to yourself no matter how you can get it. I LOVE to leave the house when my husband gets home from work and go to the grocery store by myself. It’s so quite in the car, in the store and in my head.

2. Take an extra long bathroom break. Ok, This may sound really crazy, but just lock yourself in. Drink a glass of win, take a bath just lock the door. My kids don’t seem to know that the bathroom is a private place, I think it’s time I reminded them.

3. Read a book. The only time that it’s actually quiet in the house is when the kids are reading. Tell them to grab a book, or just grab one yourself. Reading is a peaceful thing to do. Of course you could also paint, or take up whatever hobby relaxes you.

4. Have a you day, a spa day or get your hair cut. Go out and do something that makes you feel pretty and relaxed. I love going to the spa but it doesn’t happen very often. I also love to get my hair done. It’s nice to have someone else do it.

5. Have a girl’s night out or in. Girl talk and relaxing with friends is sometimes the very best medicine.

Filed Under: random, rants, Top Ten

How To Get Your Kids To Pay Attention

March 3, 2017 by Momstart 1 Comment

I know that this is something I struggle with. I saw someone post this on Facebook and I can relate. imageSo we have some tips from Mike Prusinski, co-founder of BusyKid, for getting kids to listen.

1. Know What Kids Think – A June study by AVG Technologies surveyed more than 6,000 children, ages 8 to 13 and found that 32 percent of children felt unimportant when their moms and dads were distracted by their phones. In addition, 54 percent of the kids think their parents spend too much time on their phones. Hear that mom and dad? Time to lead by example.

2. A No Phones Meal Deal – Whether you eat as a family at home or in a restaurant, make your meals “phone free”. Make it a family rule that no phones are allowed when the family is eating. No calls, no text, no snaps and no tweets. Most families spend about 20 minutes eating dinner, so I think the world can probably wait that long to hear from you.

3. Suggest Limits – Ever have one of those moments when you look up and the entire family is sitting in the same room staring into their phones or tablets? If so, suggest a time period when phones or tablets can be used. Make sure to leave some time before and afterwards so you can connect as a family, even if it’s watching your favorite TV show together.

4. Put It To Bed – There are numerous medical studies that show why having your child go to bed with their phone or tablet is a bad idea, however, let me pile on. One revealed that kids who go to bed with technology send an average of 34 texts and emails a night after going to bed. Kids need sleep and not midnight texting!

5. Earn The Phone – In the US, kids are getting phones around the age of 6. Now I’m sure parents have good reasons for a phone that young, but to me, that seems a bit early. My bigger issue is that kids are usually just given an expensive phone and plenty of data. Why? Does a 9-year old need a $600 phone, unlimited data and no supervision? For safety reasons, I think getting a child a basic phone that calls and texts is perfect. However, if he/she wants something more, they should earn it by helping out around the house, earning allowance and contributing to the monthly bill.

For information about BusyKid, visit http://www.busykid.com.

What do you think of these tips? Are they spot on or not?

Filed Under: parenting, random, rants

Why You Should File Taxes with E-File

February 14, 2017 by Momstart Leave a Comment

This is an affiliate link.

· *E-file.com offers free federal tax returns for those who qualify for a 1040ez.

· Free Error Correction – Our software will automatically check your tax return for common errors. If our software finds any errors, it will prompt you to correct them.

· Get Your Refund Quick – Who doesn’t want their refund quickly? Filing online allows you to receive your refund quicker than off-line.

· Helpful Software – the software will walk you through common deductions and credits that you may be eligible for with its easy and quick question & answer format.

Filed Under: coupons, rants, Save money

Next Page »

Find Kids Auditions


Kids Auditions

Featured Video

Recently On MomStart

Don't let back pain ruin your anniversary plans!

Visiting a Doctor – on my Smartphone! #GetWellWithAmwell

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Amwell via Momtrends. The opinions … [Read More...]

Tech The Halls Gift Guide 2020

Tech The Halls Holiday Gift Guide 2020

Thank you to our partners who have sponsored our 2020 Tech The Halls Gift Guide! … [Read More...]

Recovering files from a failed hard drive

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: How to Restore Lost Files in Minutes

Thank you to our partner EaseUS for sponsoring this post! Now that so much of … [Read More...]

Skoove

Learn to Play Piano With the Skoove App!

Thank you to our partner Skoove for sponsoring this post! My husband is a … [Read More...]

How to Make Memories with Your Kids that Last Forever

This is a sponsored guest post. As moms, for sure, many of you can relate to … [Read More...]

Our Living Room Makeover With VIZIO

VIZIO M-Series Quantum 65” Class 4K HDR Smart TV: The Perfect Gift (Especially Now)

Thanks to VIZIO for providing their M-Series 65” SmartCast TV for review! Our … [Read More...]

Crucial® X8 Portable SSD

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

Product sample provided. This is a guest post by Natasha Hendrix, Customer … [Read More...]

Modern Mother’s Day & Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies

Modern Mother’s Day & Futuristic Father’s Day Gift Guide For Techies: Online Shopping 2020

Product samples provided; this page contains our Amazon Associates … [Read More...]

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 … [Read More...]

  • Visiting a Doctor – on my Smartphone! #GetWellWithAmwell
  • Is It Time For Us To Start Embracing The Esports Revolution?
  • 4 AirFryer Desserts to Make For Valentine’s Day
  • Augmented Reality Craft: Create DIY Valentine’s Day Cards That Come to Life!
  • Valen-Tech Gift Guide 2020

Recipes

4 AirFryer Desserts to Make For Valentine’s Day

Keto Lemon Garlic Turkey

Keto Lemon Garlic Turkey: Your Best Thanksgiving Bird Ever Thanks to Topsy Turkey (Plus Giveaway!)

Hotel Transylvania 3

Hotel Transylvania 3: Plan a Spook-Tacular Sleepover!

Double Crusted Sausage Pixxa

Ghostly Pumpkins Double Crusted Halloween Pizza Recipe

Fancy Italian Coffee Recipe

Funfetti Stuffed Cotton Candy Cookies Recipe @Smuckers #HolidayTips

  • 26 Out-of-This World Star Wars Recipes
  • Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation Cocktails
  • Keto Ricotta Pancake Recipe

More Recipes

We Work With

Louise Bishop: influencer & brand ambassador
dealspotr.com

Archives