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Mamma Fairy

Mamma Musings

Hand Held Shower Head – What Options Do You Have?

Choosing a hand held shower head is an important decision because your choice of shower can make a huge impact on the style and feel of your bathroom. When choosing which one to get it’s important to consider things like: what style of shower do you want; is it going to be the focal point of the room or will it be more of a decorative feature? What fixtures do you prefer and which ones do you not? All these questions are important when making your choice!

There are currently four main high-pressure hand held shower head styles. These include wall-mount, handheld, rain shower, and three ways. The style that works best for you personally will likely depend on personal preference, bathroom size, and preferred design. Here is a quick breakdown of the four types:

Wall-Mounted: Wall-mounted hand held shower heads are the standard, but they are typically larger than handheld and rain shower heads. They can also be expensive depending on where you purchase them from. They generally require that the outlet in your wall is strong enough to handle the weight. They are great if you want a large shower hose but can be bulky.

Handheld: Handheld shower heads can be small and compact, or very large. They are generally inexpensive, easy to install, and come with their installation manual. Some can even be installed by yourself. However, if you choose a handheld shower head holder that has an extra-long spray, it can be difficult to get it set up if the outlet is not long enough. This can result in having to extend the outlet by at least two feet.

Fixed: Fixed shower heads can be attached to your walls, or you can purchase an add-on attachment. With fixed shower heads, the actual head will rest against your wall. These are the most common, and many people prefer them. However, fixed shower heads are prone to leaking, especially if the spray nozzle is not properly attached. You need to be careful when setting up fixed shower heads since they can be quite heavy.

Combination: A combination shower fixture may not look like a shower fixture at all. These are typically easy to install, and many companies make them with their combination capabilities. These units have the features of both a hand held shower head holder and a standard shower head fixture. They often look like cabinets (on which you can hang a shower curtain), or they may be small and just used as a hand held shower head. The most popular combination units are the two-piece fixtures, which are either one-piece units that come with a built-in handheld shower curtain wand, or two-piece units that come with the wand but include a separate shower rod that attaches to the base.

Nickel Finishes: All of our Hand Held Shower Head brands offer nickel finishes, which give the units a very nice look. These nickel finishes vary from an antique nickel to modern chrome finish options. These are very nice, if somewhat on the expensive side, and the various hand held shower head brands offer different price ranges. If you want a finish that is on the luxurious side, you should check out some of the higher-end options available.

If you are building a new home, we recommend that you check out our complete selection of Hand Held Shower Fixtures. Our professional installation specialists will make sure everything works so that you can enjoy your newly remodeled bathroom. There are multiple styles to choose from, and we even have options for you to customize your Hand Held shower heads! No matter what you are looking for, you can find a top-quality product that fits your needs. Feel free to browse through our entire selection, and contact a professional today.

Note:  This is a collaborative post

 

Home & Interiors

Boiler Servicing: How Often Does It Need Doing?

Boilers, despite them being largely reliable, do need some TLC from time to time to keep all their components functioning as they should. There’s no good using your boiler day in and day out for a number of years and expecting it not to break down or experience issues in some way. Your boiler’s performance and efficiency will naturally deteriorate over time, so booking your boiler in for an annual service is one way to make sure any issues are identified before they escalate and become detrimental for the health of your boiler. Besides the obvious benefits of servicing like having any old parts replaced, you risk your boiler warranty becoming invalid by failing to have your boiler checked once a year.

As stated by Heatable depending on whether your boiler is insured or not, your boiler servicing may come at a cost. Despite this, making sure your boiler is running at optimum efficiency is sure to save you money in energy bills month on month, making it entirely worth it

So, what are you waiting for? Give your boiler some much-deserved TLC by scheduling it in for a service.

What does boiler servicing include?

  • Inspection of parts. 

Professionals will check over your boiler and pipework for any leaks, blockages or corrosions by removing your boiler casing. Older boilers will naturally need more parts replacing due to the natural build-up of grime and sludge. 

If your boiler is particularly old, your engineer may advise a replacement rather than recommending that you spend tons of money on new parts. BOXT offers a range of top-quality boiler brands that can help homes to hugely reduce their energy bills with their A-rated energy-efficiency. All their new boilers also come with a five-year warranty, so you can rest easy knowing that if anything goes wrong, you can have a local engineer called out to help. 

  • Gas pressure and flow. 

Over time, your boiler pressure can become too low or high. This is due to numerous factors and can usually be fixed with techniques like bleeding radiators, flushing your system or repressurising your boiler. Boiler servicing means any minor issues like this can be identified and fixed to prevent your boiler from breaking down further down the line. 

As your boiler heats your home, waste gases are produced and sent through your flue pipe to leave your home. Your engineer will check your flue pipe to ensure there are no blockages causing danger to your household and will take note of the amount of waste gas being produced – too much flue gas can be a sign that your boiler is running inefficiently. 

  • Working faults.

As well as checking your boiler internally for underlying issues, an engineer will fire up your boiler to see if there are any obvious problems. For example, does your boiler make any odd noises, does your displays screen show up as it should, etc. 

Why do you need an annual boiler service? 

  • Household safety.

The most obvious and important reason to prioritise boiler servicing is to ensure your household is safe. Faulty boilers can be dangerous and put your family at risk of gas leaks. Boilers can put families in huge danger if things go wrong by releasing lethal gases like carbon monoxide. 

  • Catch issues early on. 

Boiler servicing is important for finding and tackling problems while they’re still easy to fix. Small issues can end up becoming problematic and even unfixable if left alone for too long. 

  • Reduce energy bills.

Depending on whether your boiler is insured or not, your boiler servicing may come at a cost. Despite this, making sure your boiler is running at optimum efficiency is sure to save you money in energy bills month on month, making it entirely worth it.

If you are debating whether to book your boiler in for a service, don’t hesitate. All it requires is as little as twenty minutes for an engineer to check over your boiler and pipework, give them a test, and you’re good to go. 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Importance of good quality data

laptop

Pic Credit: Pixabay

I have been pretty quiet here of late, however I have a very good reason for it. I may have ever so slightly neglected the blog however it has been totally worth it! I have been consulting on a fascinating project on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the corporate world particularly for accountants. I’m unashamedly a nerd and love data, statistics and tech.   One of the big learning’s I take with me from this project is just how important data is. And not just data, good data.  We have all heard of GDPR and see its impact pretty much day to day when we do anything. Protecting ones data is important particularly in an increasingly data centric world.

Data Quality Management 

Looking at how advanced the technology is becoming, data quality management has to be a key concern for management. But what exactly is good quality data? You need to be managing the right data to make the right decisions. Informatica  defines data quality as “the overall utility of a dataset(s) as a function of its ability to be easily processed and analyzed for other uses, usually by a database, data warehouse, or data analytics system“.  That is quite the tongue twister, paring it back good quality data simply means, data which is accurate, complete, consistent, and time stamped.  Getting the data quality management right is a critical element in future proofing your business.

Interestingly data quality is not to be confused with data accuracy. Accuracy is exactly as it says that the  data is accurate whereas data quality is combination of five different factor including accuracy. The other four are: complete, consistent,  time stamped and industry standards based.

Artificial Intelligence 

So considering the next steps – what is artificial intelligence? Wikipedia has a very comprehensive definition of AI but at its most basic, it is intelligence demonstrated by machines as opposed to the natural person/ human.  It can be quite hard to get your head around the concept of AI. My recent role was looking at how AI could assist accountants as opposed to replace accountants. Which is what most people’s biggest fear is i.e. being replaced by a robot leading to mass unemployment. It’s not about that at all its about improving performance. The use of AI is practically everywhere nowadays, from Industrial AI that includes deep learning, to AI in the retail space. It is hard to ignore it as it has multiple applications that can provide support in a variety of ways which people do find intimidating.

So how can does AI link with accountants. I think the main message I want to convey here is that it can support, enhance and improve performance. Augment is the word used by Firm of the Future and I think it is a really apt descriptor of it. Having a practical look myself at it, I can see AI used really effectively for example for queries – particularly voice recognition.  Think about it for a second.  You are popping to a meeting you forgot to check how many of this years sales were from x Limited? Simple  – just ask and the figure is repeated back to you.

However, this really only severs to reinforce that good data management is critical – I think the old adage says – “garbage in – garbage out” data really is king so how true could this be.

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Mamma Reviews

Omega-3 and Vitamin D to Boost your Child’s Brain and Immunity!

Children need Omega 3 for every stage of their development. It boosts their brains, strengthens their immune systems and lifts their mood. It is also claimed to improve behaviour, reduce anxiety and helps to improve language. Sounds too good to be true – yet scientific research continues to show impressive results. We first began using Eskimo in 2015 and have used them almost every day since. I firmly believe that giving them the best start in this respect is critical and will stand to them long term. Kids are busy, between school, activities, play dates etc. We want them to preform to the best of their abilities and I really do feel that supplementing is a viable alternative. I simply couldn’t get the quantity of fish into the boys that I would like so for me the best alternative was a high quality fish supplement. I have done my research, I have spoken to other mothers online and in person and the brand that was mentioned most was Eskimo 3.

Brain Food for Kids

Eskimo 3 kids

Ready for the day, Omegas for adults and kids. Plus our sun-cream another essential component.

Omega-3s are important for every cell in the body, but for children, most of the research has focused on their role in promoting healthy brain development. Omega-3 fatty acids are the most critical building blocks of the brain – they are considered essential and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Without these important fats, it can become difficult for children to concentrate, learn new information, and balance their moods properly.  DHA in particular is recognised as essential for normal brain function. It helps to improve membrane fluidity, which means that nerve impulses, or messages, are transmitted more effectively.   In animals, low brain DHA results in changes in behaviour and is associated with learning problems and memory deficits. In humans, studies indicate that DHA supports normal IQ and preserves learning and memory. Perhaps its the accountant in me but I like to do my research, I do read up on things to make sure I am making informed decisions. Lets face it, its our kids future I feel like I owe it to them to give them the best start in life I can. Having spoken with the lovely people at Eskimo 3, my attention was drawn to some important research which is summarised below.

A review of 7 different studies which reported on the results of DHA supplementation on school performance, found that 5 of the studies showed DHA improved school performance, including learning ability, reading and spelling.(1)  In a 2012 study (Richardson et al) found that Omega 3 DHA had a profound improvement in reading age, concentration and learning ability in children. Lower levels of DHA were attributed to poorer reading and impaired performance.(2)

One 2013 study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine looked at how boys responded to Omega-3 DHA. Omega-3 DHA is as important to our brains, as calcium is to our bones. It accounts for 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain. In the study, (McNamara RK et al) showed that subjects who consumed less DHA had slower reaction times and exhibited lower levels of concentration compared with subjects who consumed more DHA.3  

Early omega-3 exposure may reduce incidence of children’s allergies

A recent 2017 article reported that eating oily fish or fish oil supplementation in pregnancy may be a strategy to prevent infant and childhood allergic disease, whilst a study in infants from birth to 6 months found that omega-3s were able to modify markers of immunity and potentially be protective against allergies.(4,5)  In addition, Bisgaard et al. reported a significantly reduced incidence of persistent wheeze or asthma at ages 3 to 5 years in children whose mothers took fish oil during pregnancy.(6)

All of this indicates that consumption of omega-3 during pregnancy by the mothers or intake of omega-3 in infancy may well be able to help reduce the incidence of allergic diseases, including asthma. However it is really important if you do have any concerns around allergies that you do consultant a professional such as Premier Allergy & Asthma. Premier Allergy & Asthma can also assist with conditions such as eczema or hives. 

How much is required?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) state that you need 250mg DHA daily to support healthy brain function. Eating oily fish twice a week (think SMASH – salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and herring) will provide a healthy dose of omega-3 EPA/DHA.  Since it is almost impossible to get children to eat enough fish to meet the requirements, it’s smart to supplement their diet with a premium Omega-3 supplement such as Eskimo-3 Kids. If I get one fish meal a week with cleaned plates its pretty close to a miracle here. 

Vitamin D for Bones and Immunity

Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin”, is well known for its role in building strong bones and teeth. It’s not just about bones though. Vitamin D is needed for a healthy immune system – helping the body to fight off infections, making it a very important supplement during back to school time. The Irish Osteoporosis Society has called on parents to keep vitamin D intake top of mind. Some 88% of primary school children in Ireland have been reported to have vitamin D intakes below the recommended amount. Kids who do not get sufficient calcium and vitamin D are at increased risk for rickets (softening and weakening of bones in children, poor growth).

 

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Features

What Are The Benefits Of Considering The Liposuction Technique?

What Are The Benefits Of Considering The Liposuction Technique?

Liposuction is an excellent choice among cosmetic surgeries. It can significantly trim down fat around your thighs, abdomen, buttocks and your waistline. It can also make you lose about 25% of one’s total body weight for permanent weight loss. If you are considering liposuction techniques, it is important to know the benefits of this decision. Here are some of the main benefits of considering lipo:

Fuller and More Appealing Body Shape 

One of the main reasons why many people consider getting a liposuction treatment is to help them achieve a better-looking body shape. It can be used on any body area, whether on your stomach, hips, or thighs. When you have a treatment done, it will remove fat cells from your problematic area while also tightening up nearby skin to give your body a more pleasing look.

Establish a Healthier Lifestyle 

One of the benefits of getting a liposuction treatment is that it might motivate you to have a healthier lifestyle. With all the excess fat gone from your body, you will be less likely to feel sluggish and more likely to start living an active lifestyle. It can also motivate you to stick with your healthy diet, which can help improve your health immensely in the long run.

Improved Self-Esteem 

Along with boosting your overall health and helping you shed unwanted weight from your body, lipo surgery might also improve your confidence and self-esteem. The procedure is known for restoring old figure flaws or body parts which are not considered desirable or attractive by many people. It can also help you lose weight and eliminate the flab that is holding you back from being more attractive.

Fewer Risks

Since liposuction involves working directly on fat cells. Although, there are fewer risks involved compared with other techniques, such as liposuction via a cannula. This requires needles to be inserted into the body. If a lipo is done using vacuum suction, then there is no risk of damaging tissues or nerves.

Realistic Expectations 

The only real negative side of getting a liposuction technique is that it can take time and effort to see results. You will need to implement a strict and healthy diet and an active lifestyle to achieve the best results. This could mean losing some weight first before getting a procedure done to remove fat from your body. If you do not start modifying your lifestyle, then it is likely that your efforts will prove futile in the end.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Fairy Travels

Eindhoven with Kids

We wanted to go on a short city break over the October school mid term however, I left it a little late to book. A couple of hours on Skyscanner, €120 lighter we were off to Eindhoven with the kids  on a Ryanair flight. I knew very little about Eindhoven apart from the football team PSV and its links to DAF and Philips. Despite being a great base to explore to rest of Holland on this occasion we didn’t attempt to drive in Holland.

Ryanair

Pic Credit:TheMamma Fairy Blog

Eindhoven has become known for its close cooperation between its universities and industries. In terms of industries Eindhoven is known for its biomedical and engineering research fostered in the main but its high tech Universities. The city of Eindhoven works hard to develop and grow its intelligent community credentials. As a result of these efforts, the Intelligent Community Forum (“ICF”) named the Eindhoven metro region one of the top-21 intelligent communities in 2008 and one of the top-7 intelligent communities in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the ICF named Eindhoven the Intelligent Community of the Year.

One of the things that struck me most as we came into land in Eindhoven is how much green space there. I don’t know why but I didn’t expect that at all. The airport is located only minutes (8km) from the city which is brilliant couple with the flight over just over an hour long, making it the ideal city break destination.

Where we stayed

sky view Einhoven

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

When we started researching Eindhoven there were lots of accommodation options from chain hotels to boutique hotels to B&B’s. I used booking.com and got an excellent deal at NH Collection. it’s a five star hotel, in the centre of the city with stunning views from the breakfast room an another floor up again for Vane Sky Bar.

The room itself was plenty big for the four of us an spotlessly clean. The breakfast was plentiful an that view. I could have spent hours staring out the window. The night we arrived the lovely Rik at Vane made us some seriously impressive cocktails. I do have to compliment the staff here, it was busy with the early after work crown and our family was made so welcome.

There are some cocktails on the menu at Vane designed by the World’s Best Female Bartender Tess Posthumus. We were there quite early in the evening and didn’t try the food here but I can imagine it gets very busy at the evening progresses. Its uber trendy and the panaromic view of the sun setting over the city is a lovely way to chill after an evening sight seeing.

What we did

daf museum einhoven

Pic Credit: The Mamma Fairy Blog

Our time in Eindhoven was short so we left it up to the boys what they wanted to do. It’s funny their own choices really do sum up themselves. The oldest wanted to go and visit the PSV stadium and the youngest the DAF museum. After a huge breakfast we headed first for the DAF Museum which was about 15 minutes walk from the hotel. This building is so deceptive. It looks small from the outside but once you get inside it is anything but. It’s fabulous, we began with a coffee over looking the vehicles and my youngest was hopping on the spot with excitement to get exploring.

The first thing that struck me when we walked in was that the place is immaculate, the vehicles are immaculate. It’s so well done inside, from the vehicles arranged in key milstones, the square with its own pub, to the top floor with a huge array of cars from the 1920 onwards.

The week we were there, the DAF museum were putting the finishing touches to their new exhibition spaces extending to over 1,100 square metres. We had a sneak peak and it’s a great addition brining the next phase in DAF’s history incuding trucks from the 1990 and 2000’s.

My boys truly loved this museum, its was right up their street. The Dada Fairy was equally enthralled being in a similar business himself. Our entrance was kindly gifted however at €9 for adults and €4 for kids age 5 up, under 5 free, this is a very good value and I can see why it is regularly ranked top of Trip Advisor ratings in Eindhoven.


PSV Tour Continue Reading

Mamma Musings

Baby Sleep Guidelines – Newborn to 12 Months

newborn baby

Pic Credit: Pixabay

You just had a baby and you are unsure of what to expect based on the baby’s sleep schedule. However, when your baby is only a few weeks old, there won’t be a sleep schedule to go by and your baby will be sleeping from 18 to 20 hours a day completely broken up. That is because they run completely on instinct as they will not have the days and nights together as they would not know since they were in the womb in the darkness for 9 months. And they would be rocked to sleep during the day because of the mother being active and be more active themselves at night as the mother goes and sleeps. They also need to feed every 2 to 3 hours because their stomachs are very small and can only hold in so much at a time. Additionally, they are growing constantly and will be hungry whenever they are ready which is why they will literally feed 2 to 3 hours each day and night. 

And it does not matter what they are wearing when they go to sleep. They could be wearing their sleepers or one of their brand new baby christmas outfit and they will sleep because there is no point in changing them for naps they will take during the day if their clothes are clean. However, in order for you to understand your baby’s sleeping patterns, this newborn sleep guideline will be helpful to you:

First Born To 4 Weeks Old

During this time your newborn will be sleeping most of the time but they break often to be fed and changed. They will sleep from 2 and a half to 4 hours at a time and in between sleep phases they can sleep for 45 minutes to an hour. This is why they are up all the time to be fed and changed and it is important to interact with them as well as they are taking in everything in their environment. 

Next Phase 5 To 8 Weeks

sleeping baby

Pic Credit: Pixabay

This is the time when you will notice that there are some slight changes in the baby’s sleeping patterns. The newborns are beginning to see that there is a difference between day and night, and they will be napping from 45 minutes to an hour for 3 to 5 times a day and will be sleeping longer at night. This is the time when you will want to start implementing bedtime routines as well so that they become used to sleeping through the night quicker. They will also not require feedings in the middle of the night so often once they are closer to 8 weeks. 

The Third Phase 9 Weeks To Close To 4 Months

The baby will be awake more during the day and will begin to sleep longer at night which is what the parents have been wanting for so long. They will nap 3 times a day for 45 minutes to an hour an a half. One nap will be in the morning, the next will be in the afternoon, and the next will be in the early evening. And it will be predictable at this time when the baby will wake up. They can sleep from 4 to 8 hours in the night as well but don’t despair that they can regress with their sleeping right around the end of this phase as well which will be temporary. 

The Fourth Phase 4 Months To 8 Months 

This is the time when you are able to set a real schedule for your baby as they have their internal clocks set at this point. They will need a morning and an afternoon nap, and a quick nap from the afternoon to bedtime. The way it can go is from 8 to 8:30 am they go in for their morning nap and they are napping for 2 hours to get up and feed. And in the afternoon they nap starting from noon to 12:30 and wake up 2 hours for a feeding. And then between the afternoon and evening, they can get a 30 minute to 45-minute nap which is known as the buffer nap. 

This way they can nap quickly so they are not too cranky for bedtime which could cause them not to sleep well as the one way to prevent a baby from being overtired is if they nap enough. However, you don’t want them to nap too much which is why they should not nap for longer than 5 hours during the day which has been broken up based on their nap schedules. 

The Last Phase 8 Months To 12 Months

This is the time when infants only need to have 4 hours of napping time in a day which is 2 hours in the morning from 8 to 8:30 as their start time and sleep for 2 hours. And they have another nap in the afternoon which would be around 1 pm and they will wake up at 3 pm and be up until bedtime. You will want to start the bedtime routine a half hour before they go to bed for the night. That means at that time before they get a bath, get those onesies for babies, if that is what they are wearing and then get them bathed so they are drowsy enough to sleep. 

Then after their bath, get them into their pajamas and they will be drowsy enough to sleep. And don’t be surprised as well if there are sleep regressions here and there especially around 9 to 12 months of age due to teething or growth spurts. 

Your baby will sleep as he or she gets older and there will be some rough nights where he or she is sick or has a bad dream and needs your comfort. But just know that there will be more restful nights than not as the baby matures and grows older. It will not last this way forever and that is a promise. 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

5 Most Popular House Styles

When you click on that home value calculator to determine how much a house is worth, one of the factors is its architectural style. According to REALTOR Magazine, a Mediterranean-style home has the highest median list price at nearly $750,000. 

But what is Mediterranean style, and what are the other most popular home styles out there today?

Mediterranean

conservatory

Pic Credit: Pixabay

This style of home, as the name belies, is common in southern Italy, France, and Spain, and as mentioned, it tends to be worth the most in the U.S. today. Most in the country were inspired by Spanish and Mexican designed homes and frequently featured arched windows and doorways. There are usually few details on the exterior, with stucco walls that are often painted in pastel hues. The architecture focuses on extensions like patios and verandas as well as open floor plans with high ceilings, designed to let breezes flow through.  Many homeowners seeking to embody the essence of Mediterranean living turn to a quality home furniture store to furnish their spaces with authentic pieces that complement this style.

Craftsman

Craftsman-style homes are the result of the Arts and Crafts Movement from about 1880 through 1920, emphasizing natural materials like brick, stone, and wood. They have low-pitched roofs and wide front porches. The style was booming in the early 20th century before being replaced by mid-century modern architecture like the ranch home. But it’s been making a comeback, with many homebuyers favoring this style today. These homes also tend to be easy to build and economical, as the style utilizes readily available materials.

Ranch

Ranch-style homes have long-been popular, replacing the craftsman by the mid-20th-century, mostly built after the war for soldiers who were returning home. It was first used in America’s west and southwest before spreading to other areas, with style featuring a single-story that may be rectangular, U- or I-shaped. Floor plans are simple, with a front-facing garage attached to the rest of the house, a wide asymmetrical facade, and a low-pitched roof. The homes are built from natural materials, like a brick and wooden exterior along with oak floors. There are many Pros and Cons of Ranch Style Homes to consider, but there is something nostalgic about a ranch style home that gives it wide appeal.

Victorian

victorian house

Pic Credit:Pixabay

Victorian houses refer to those built during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and come with lots of character, including a romantic feel and lots of detail in everything from textures and colors to patterns. There are several styles within this category, like Queen Anne and Gothic. Still, typically, all Victorian homes have a dominant front-facing gable, a steeply pitched roof, patterned shingles, an asymmetrical facade, and cutaway bay windows. There are contemporary homes built in Victorian style today, allowing buyers to purchase the look along with desirable modern features.

Colonial 

Colonial-style homes date back to 1876, and typically come with two or three stories along with wood or brick facades and evenly spaced shuttered windows. The roof is usually steep and pointed at the top. A classic floor plan for this type of home has the bedrooms on the second floor with a family room and kitchen on the first floor. This style is commonly seen in the northeast region of the U.S., especially from Maine to Virginia.

Mamma Musings

Helping Your Child Make the Most of their Education

It is important to show your child that you care about their education, that you are available to help with their school work and that you are proud of their achievements. The more supported a child feels at home, the better you will find they perform at school. 

To help your child make the most of their time at school, here is some great advice from Banstead Preparatory School

  • Get to know your child’s school and try to establish a good relationship with the teachers. This will allow you to keep up to date with current classwork and help you to support your child’s learning at home.
  • Develop a love of learning by regularly sharing as a family what you have learnt at school or work. You could even ask your child to play the teacher at home and explain to you what they learnt in class. Repeating what they have learnt will help them to memorise important facts.
    child writing in school

    Pic Credit: Pixabay


  • Teach your child that learning can happen anywhere, not just in the classroom. For example you can learn a lot from nature, by simply going out in your garden and observing the trees, weather and wildlife.
  • Always show encouragement and praise your child’s achievements. This will help to boost their confidence and keep them motivated. Attend school assemblies where your child’s achievements are recognised.
  • Help your child to practice their organisation and time management skills. This will help to prepare them for homework and exams. Create a study schedule together or set up a special study area at home.Try to incorporate learning into your weekend family activities. This could include visiting a museum or an art gallery where your child can learn interactively.
  • Try not to put too much pressure on your child. If they feel under pressure to reach certain grades, this can negatively affect their performance and can cause emotional stress. Allow your child to develop at their own pace and give them the freedom to make their own choices.
Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Teaching Your Kids to Respect School Rules

Respect is important, both at home and at school. In order for your child to succeed academically and develop important social skills, they must understand how to respect school rules, as well as other people.

To help your child understand why respect is so important and why they should do their best to follow school rules, here is some great advice from Dover College

  • The first step towards a respectful child is to ensure they understand what respect means. Do they know the difference between respectful and disrespectful behaviour? It is important to set a good example for your child and demonstrate respectful behaviour, both in public and at home.

    child reading in forest

    Pic Credit: Pixabay

  • Explain the importance of having rules at school. Help your child to understand that school rules are created to ensure that students and teachers benefit from a safe and happy learning environment.
  • Stress that in the classroom it is important to listen to the teacher. Explain that they should always follow the teacher’s instructions and be kind and helpful to others. 
  • School rules often include instructions on how to respect school property and the environment. This means never causing damage to school property and always using rubbish or recycling bins to dispose of waste. It is essential that they have pride in their school environment and want to play a part in keeping it safe and clean.
  • Teach your kids to value other people’s ideas and opinions and always treat others as they wish to be treated.
  • Finally you should encourage your children to value their own learning and success. They can demonstrate this by being on time to school, working to the best of their ability, completing homework and being polite to their teachers. 
Note: This is a collaborative post