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Starting a home business when you’re a parent can feel like a nightmare, especially if you have young kids who aren’t at school all day. It can be challenging to find a balance, but it is not impossible to make a success of your small business and still smash your parenting needs at the same time. It’s not something that everyone can do immediately, though, so here are some tips to balance being a mum and running a home business. 

Get Outsourcing Help 

One of the best ways to balance parenting and small business ownership is to reduce the amount of work you have to do every day. Outsourcing offers the perfect solution, especially if you are running a one-woman show. 

Pic Credit: Unsplash

There are many outsourcing choices to choose from. If you need a Small Business Accountant to balance your books, you can find a reliable company with ease. The same goes for content marketing and website maintenance. The benefit of outsourcing lies in how these companies are specialists, so even if you think you can handle it all, their results will be much more professional and successful. 

Establish Workday Boundaries 

If your kids are at home all day, they will call on you for anything, even minor things that aren’t emergencies. While you may be happy to help out, especially making lunch or other essentials, you still need to set boundaries. 

Having a dedicated workspace and explaining that you can’t be disturbed is one boundary to consider. If your kids know that a closed door means you’re busy, they will wait until you’re free before bothering you. Many parents will work in the same room as their kids playing, but although this means they can keep an eye on them, it also increases the chance of distractions and disruptions. 

Outline Family Time 

It’s easy to work all day because you know you have so much else to do. But, this could mean you miss out on essential family time and childcare. Hopefully, your partner can carry some of the load, yet you also need to be there for your kids. 

Outline some family time each day, whether you spend time with your kids during your lunch break or read them a bedtime story every night. This helps maintain the bond between you and your kids and won’t make you feel guilty for ignoring your work. 

Make the Most of the Small Breaks 

It isn’t just childcare you need to worry about. There are also plenty of household chores that require attention. While you can’t spend hours deep cleaning your home, you can make the most of small breaks. 

Loading the dishwasher or putting laundry on are two things you can do when you take a break from your computer. You can also fold laundry while on calls with clients as you don’t need to be as focused on what you’re doing. Everyone needs a break during the workday, and you can manage your household easier if you make the most of these breaks whenever possible. 

Perfectly Balanced 

Balancing your home business with parenting allows you to stay on top of all your responsibilities. While it can take some getting used to – for yourself and your kids – these tips should make it easier for you to consult with clients and provide all the love and attention your kids (and your home) require. 

Note: This is a collaborative post

A 2019 study highlighted how many Irish people want to live more sustainably but don’t know how and this number has undoubtedly increased since then. For many homeowners and renters, it can feel like the effort to be more sustainable is a losing battle as it’s too easy to fall back into non-sustainable ways in favour of convenience. This is especially true if you run a large household where it feels like every room is occupied all day. Despite this, it is possible to run a sustainable household, you just need to know where to start.  

Purchase Eco-Friendly Products

Pic Credit: Unsplash

If you want to make an immediate change to your household’s sustainability habits, purchasing eco-friendly products such as laundry detergent sheets, hand soap, and other cleaning products is a fantastic place to start. 

As you use these products every day, you can reduce the environmental impact by choosing options that reduce the environmental impact. These products are made using sustainable practices and many contain safe and renewable ingredients that minimise the substantial damage that manufacturing can have. 

Track Your Energy Usage 

Energy usage is a significant problem for all homes, but large households often bear the biggest brunt. Rather than have a couple in one room using energy, whether watching TV or working, there are often multiple rooms that consume energy at the same time. 

Tracking your energy usage can go a long way towards solving this. By knowing how much energy you consume each day, you will find it cheaper to run your household in winter without spending exorbitant amounts. You can also teach your kids to switch off the lights whenever they leave a room.

Spend More Time Outside 

Spending time outside means you won’t use energy in the house, but simply not switching appliances on isn’t exactly a solution. However, you can combine reduced energy usage with an eco-friendly garden that allows you to source fruit and veg from your backyard. 

You can also create environmentally friendly gardens. Rather than mowing the lawn to a pristine condition, leaving a patch of wildflowers will attract bees and butterflies, giving them much-needed sustenance and helping them to pollinate other plants. 

Upgrade Your Appliances 

If you haven’t upgraded your appliances since moving in, now is the best time to do so. As your appliances, whether your fridge or washing machine gets older, they become less efficient. Pipes and filters become blocked by dust, meaning the unit needs to work twice as hard. 

You can clean these appliances first and see if that makes a difference, but a modern energy-efficient unit will make the essentials easier to maintain. You will still consume energy, but they will not use as much, which means you save money on energy bills and reduce overall consumption, which is environmentally beneficial. 

Running Smoothly

Running a household is far from simple. Once you have cleaned one room, you must attend to another issue somewhere else. Your kids also don’t understand why they don’t need the lights on during the day. While they will learn in time, you can take steps to make your home a more sustainable place, doing right by the environment and creating a happy and healthy home. 

Note: This is a collaborative post 

Moissanite vs Lab Diamond Rings

Lab created diamonds have risen in popularity in recent years as people are seeking out ethical engagement rings. It poses the question: What is the difference between moissanite rings and lab diamonds? Luckily enough, we have the lab grown jewellery experts from Lily Arkwright here to run you through the main differences between these two gorgeously similar gemstones because there’s a bunch! 

To begin with, lab diamonds and moissanite are not the same gemstone but they do in fact share similar visual properties. 

So what exactly is moissanite? 

Moissanite is one of the world leading alternatives to gemstone but extremely rare to find, first discovered in 1893 by acclaimed French scientist Henri Moissan. He found traces of the moissanite gem in a crater in Arizona that was created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. The crystals in moissanite are composed of silicon carbide, and because of their origin, natural moissanite is incredibly rare. Moissanite is a rare and precious gemstone made of silicon carbide that works as a beautiful alternative to the traditional mined diamond engagement ring, and is a wonderful option in its own right.

With a striking similarity identical to a diamond, the brilliance of moissanite is reflected in its unbeatable ranking for durability, radiance, brilliance and colour. 

What are lab diamonds? 

There are no chemical, physical or visual differences between lab diamonds and mined diamonds, therefore the quality is still an amazing standard of UK fine jewellery. As the name suggests, lab diamonds are created in a lab through recreating the extreme temperatures and high pressures which occur in the Earth’s crust where natural diamonds form.

There are no differences to be seen by the naked eye. You can be sure to receive the same fire and brilliance displayed in the finest of naturally mined diamonds. 

Durability of moissanite and lab diamonds? 

As lab diamonds are 100% real diamonds, they share the same chemical composition as natural diamonds which includes the hardness of the gemstone. It is common knowledge that diamonds are the hardness mineral on the planet and lab diamonds share the same score of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which is used to measure the hardness of a mineral based on scratch resistance. Moissanite on the other hand is also extremely durable with a score of 9.25 on the Mohs scale, making moissanite a perfect option for engagement rings, ideal for everyday wear. 

Moissanite and lab diamonds are ethical and sustainable

Have you ever considered where your jewellery is sourced from? Conventionally, natural diamonds have always been used in traditional engagement rings. However, alternative engagement ring lab grown gems have been on the rise since consumers are increasingly becoming conscious of their purchases. Moissanite for jewellery is exclusively produced in a laboratory, this eliminates the need for mining. Therefore, the overall impact on the earth and communities is significantly reduced. 

Due to the elimination of mining, it means that moissanite has a carbon footprint the fraction of the size of naturally mined diamonds. The same applies to lab diamonds, making them the perfect ethical and sustainable option for your lifetime ring! 

Lab grown rings are affordable 

If you opt for a lab diamond, you receive the exact same brilliant sparkle that natural diamonds have, for a fraction of the price because lab diamonds are roughly 30% less than a mined diamond. 

However, if you’re seeking something slightly unique a moissanite stone choice is a great choice if you’re on a budget. Moissanite equates to roughly 90% less than a mined diamond making it the perfect option for price savvy newlyweds! 

Want to learn more about lab diamonds?

If you are interested in booking a consultation or would simply like to learn out more about lab grown diamond, coloured gemstones or moissanite engagement rings or Lily Arkwrights lab grown collections, please call them on 0161 537 6773, alternatively you can email the jewellery consultancy team at hello@lilyarkwright.com.

Thanks to the Lily Arkwrights team for this really useful insight.

Pic Credit: Pexels

Launching a home care business could be a good idea if you have a passion for helping others and are looking for a business idea that lets you put your talent for looking after people into action. The proportion of the adult population aged 65 years and over is growing and is expected to increase rapidly in the coming decades. This increase means demand for home care is expected to rise to help take care of the needs of an ageing population. Launching a home care business is likely to mean your services will be in demand. While there may be demand for home care services, setting up a business of this kind is not always easy. It is essential to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to set up your new business correctly and ensure that it complies with all the relevant requirements set by the industry. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when starting a home care business:

Decide on the Type of Care You Will Offer

There are many different services that you can provide for your clients, so deciding which one is the right one for your business is essential. You may choose to offer care 24-hours a day, 365 days per year with a companion care service, or you could provide shorter visits, such as to assist clients with getting washed and dressed in the mornings and ready for bed at night. Figuring out the type of care you plan to offer before you start recruiting is a good idea.

It will be vital to the success of your business to do adequate research into the specific service you wish to provide, as well as market research to see what other services are available in the area you wish to base yourself in. For example, if you wish to base yourself in Tucson, conducting a web search for “home companion services Tucson” can help you to see who you will be competing with should you decide to pursue this type of care. Following this, you then have the ability to create a business plan that will specify the scope of your services

Check if You Need to Register Your Business

As a care provider, you will likely need to register your business with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Registering your company is a legal requirement unless it is exempt, so researching the registration process and seeing whether you meet the criteria is vital. Checking the Health and Social Care Act (2008) will help you understand whether you need to register your company. If registration is required, you will need to complete an application to the CQC, which will be assessed. The assessment will determine whether your business is suitable for registration and which regulated activities you are authorised to undertake.

Recruit Your Team

Recruiting the best candidates for your team is essential when you run a care business. You need employees who can offer your clients the highest standard of care and ideally have experience working in the care sector. Once you have assembled your team, it is crucial to ensure they continue their professional development. Using a provider that offers specialist professional development, such as home care and care home training services that can be completed online, is an excellent way to keep your employees up-to-date with their compliance training. Online training solutions are the perfect solution for a busy workforce and will make it so much easier for you to arrange your team’s training and manage their development.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Pic Credit: Pexels

Running a small business is an intense task and one that consumes a lot of time. Trying to take care of the kids and juggle everyday responsibilities while running a business is never easy, so finding ways to make this more manageable is a must. While there will always be many tasks to complete when running a business, it is possible to make things a little easier for yourself. Simplifying your business operation is an excellent place to start and should make it so much easier for you to balance your different opportunities without sacrificing your company in the process. Here are some top tips to help you simplify the running of your small business and make your life easier:

Bring in Professional Help

As an entrepreneur, you are likely in the habit of doing everything yourself and working independently on almost every related to your business. However, there is no shame in asking for assistance rather than doing everything yourself. Some tasks are best handled by professionals in the associated field, as they can be performed more accurately and much faster by experts with the most up-to-date knowledge. Outsourcing services such as IT support and accounting is an excellent way to free up your time while ensuring that business-critical tasks are performed to the highest standards. Choosing to use companies such as Bryden Johnson for your accounting needs and selecting reputable companies to manage your business IT is a big help.

Build a Strong Team

Running a business is much easier when you have a team you can depend on. Being able to rely on your employees to work efficiently and in the most productive way possible makes a vast difference to the success of your business and plays a significant role in helping to relieve the pressure that you face. 

It is vital to recruit the best team of employees and train them to perform their roles to the highest standard. Having a competent team enables you to delegate more tasks to them and minimises the amount of time you spend on routine jobs. With many of the time-consuming day-to-day tasks taken care of, it is much easier for you to focus on higher-level detail and propel your business forward towards greater success. Often, smaller tasks take up a lot of headspace, so reducing these will help simplify your to-do list and channel your effort into where it counts.

Use the Cloud

When you want to simplify the running of a business, finding ways to minimise wasted time and effort are essential. Duplicated effort and unnecessarily complicated business processes can each add an extra layer of complication to your company and consume too much of your time. But, implementing cloud systems enables you and your team to work together with ease. When you use the cloud to work together in real-time, it will be so much easier to manage tasks, reduce duplicated effort, and ensure that your business processes are working as effectively as possible without unnecessary complications.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Today, every individual is working towards saving the planet by increasing sustainability. Whether companies, organizations, or individuals, there is a need to join hands and adopt eco-friendly measures to preserve the environment. You can also participate as a parent by choosing eco-friendly playground equipment for your kid. This is how you make them appreciate the present and contribute towards making the environment a better place. By selecting a playground with eco-friendly equipment, here are the gains.

It Saves the Environment

As everyone works towards saving the environment, choosing sustainable ways of doing things is crucial. With that said, sustainable equipment for playgrounds has little or no impact on the environment compared to manufactured equipment. While manufacturing traditional playground equipment, a lot of harm goes to the environment. Therefore, choose eco-friendly equipment for your playgrounds to teach the kids the need to save the environment as they learn. It will not only keep your kids safe but protect the world too.

They Are Sturdy

Sustainable play equipment is durable. The materials last even two times longer than other non-eco-friendly materials. Therefore, if you are searching for durable commercial playground equipment, ensure you go the sustainable way. The equipment can go on for an extended period without depreciating quality or protection. Therefore, they present good value for money. Furthermore, these materials can be recyclable.

Equipment is Easy to Maintain

Another great thing about eco-friendly playground equipment is that it is easy to maintain. Such items are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, and with time, playground equipment lasts, fades, and even breaks. The best thing about the sustainable choice is that they offer ease of maintenance. You don’t have to deal with rust or fading.

It Builds a Sense of Community

Irrespective of where you are installing the equipment, the notion of going eco-friendly builds a sense of community. Sustainable materials can boost your space in a business, school, or public place. The people using the playground will work together to maintain equipment and make the playground eco-friendly. This connection brings oneness and improves the effort to care for the environment.

Improves Social Responsibility

The main intention of sustainable playground equipment is to reduce the carbon footprint while providing the kids with a safe place to play. Today, communities have schemes to help them achieve environmental sustainability. Therefore, everyone will work and be determined to make the space sustainable and pick the right outdoor playground equipment. Such responsibilities help you and the community achieve the targets set.

The Unified Look

Many playgrounds have trees and grass to make the spaces look more natural. So, mixing eco-friendly play equipment with this nature brings a more unified look, making the place feel more natural. So apart from offering better security for the young, such equipment brings a seamless look that makes it more fun to play.

The Takeaway

These are the benefits of using eco-friendly play equipment. They help preserve the environment while providing the best security for your kids. Furthermore, these materials are durable and easy to maintain compared to the traditional materials in other playgrounds. Therefore, hire professionals to design and assemble the equipment in your school, business, home, or public space for the environment and safety of the young ones.

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A baby walker is a device that helps support a young child who is learning to walk. Baby walkers come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors. Some have seats, while others do not. Most baby walkers have a tray in front of the seat where the child can place toys or snacks.

Most babies can start using a baby walker around 4 to 6 months old. However, every baby is different. If your baby shows interest in walking earlier or later than this age range, it is probably fine to start using a baby walker. Just be sure to supervise your little one in the walker closely.

Here are some signs that your baby may be ready to start using a baby walker:

• – Your baby can hold their head up without support.
• – Your baby is trying to sit up on their own.
• – Your baby is starting to crawl.
• – Your baby is trying to stand up on their own.

If your baby meets any of these milestones, they may be ready to start using a baby walker.

The perfect baby walker for your little one may not be as easy to find as you might think. You need to consider many factors when purchasing baby walkers online, such as safety and features. However, with a little research, you should be able to find the perfect one. 

How to use Baby Walker Safely?

There are some safety concerns that you should keep in mind when using a baby walker:

• Do not use a baby walker on uneven surfaces. Baby walkers are designed for use on flat, level surfaces. If you use a baby walker on a surface that is not flat or level, your child could tip over and be injured.
• Do not use a baby walker near stairs. Baby walkers can roll downstairs very easily. If your child is in a baby walker near the top of a flight of stairs, they could fall down the stairs and be seriously injured.
• Keep an eye on your child at all times. It is easy for a child to get out of a baby walker and fall. Never leave your child unattended in a baby walker, even for a few seconds.
• Do not let your child use the baby walker for too long. Baby walkers can be tiring for young children. They may also cause your child’s legs to become bowed if used for too long. Let your child use the baby walker for just a few minutes.
• Do not put toys or snacks in the tray of the baby walker. Your child could choke on these items if they try to eat them while in the baby walker.

Following these safety tips will help you use a baby walker safely with your child.

Conclusion

A baby walker can be a great way to help your child learn to walk. Just be sure to follow the safety tips above to avoid any accidents. Talk to your child’s doctor if you have any concerns about using a baby walker.

Note: This is a collaborative post

5 Steps to a Perfect Wedding Registry

When you’re planning your wedding, one of the first things you need to do is create your registry. A registry is a list of items you would like to receive as gifts from your guests. Creating a registry can be difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. We’ve put together five steps to help make your perfect registry easy and stress-free. Please keep reading for our wedding registry checklist!

Start With A List Of Items You Need Or Want

A registry is an excellent way for couples to get started on their new life together. It allows you and your spouse to select items that you both need and want, but it also provides a convenient way for friends and family to help you stock your new home. When creating your registry, consider what you will need for your new life together. Start by making a list of all the big-ticket items you need, such as furniture and appliances.

Then, add any smaller items you may want, such as kitchen utensils and bedding. Be sure to consult with your spouse as you compile your list, and don’t forget to add a few fun items that you can enjoy together, such as a new set of golf clubs or a his-and-hers massage chair. With a little bit of planning, you can create a wedding registry that will help you start your new life off on the right foot.

Narrow Down Your List To The Essentials

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Once you have a complete list of items, it’s time to narrow things down. After all, you probably won’t need two vacuum cleaners or three blenders. Take a close look at your list and identify the items you will use daily. These are the items that should be at the top of your registry.

Consider your lifestyle if you’re having trouble deciding which items to keep and which ones to ditch. If you love to cook, registering for high-quality pots and pans is necessary. On the other hand, if you’re not a chef, those fancy kitchen gadgets can probably be crossed off your list. By taking the time to identify your needs, you can create a registry that is both realistic and practical.

Consider Your Budget And Find Affordable Options

One of the most critical aspects of creating a wedding registry is setting a budget. After all, you don’t want to find yourself in debt before you’ve even tied the knot. When determining your budget, consider the cost of all the items on your list.

Once you know how much money you’re willing to spend, start looking for affordable options. There are many ways to save money on your registry without sacrificing quality or style. For example, instead of registering for expensive china that you’ll only use on special occasions, consider registering for everyday dishes that are more affordable.

You can also save money by looking for sales and discounts. Many retailers offer special deals on wedding registry items, so keep an eye out for those. By budgeting for your registry, you can ensure that you’ll be able to stick to your plan without breaking the bank.

Add Some Unique Items That Reflect Your Personality

Your wedding registry should reflect your unique style and personality. After all, this is YOUR big day! So don’t be afraid to add a few personal touches to your registry. For example, consider registering for a massage chair or  a luggage set or even a travel guidebook if you love traveling.

Or if you’re a foodie, registered for gourmet cooking tools or an upscale kitchen appliance. These unique items will make your registry more fun to create, but they’ll also help your guests select gifts that you’re sure to love.

Ask For Help From Friends And Family To Finalize Your Registry

The final step in creating your perfect wedding registry is to ask for help from your friends and family. These are the people who know you best, so they’ll be able to help you fill in any gaps in your registry.

And if you’re still having trouble deciding what to register for, consider asking for a gift card instead. That way, you’ll have the flexibility to purchase whatever you need or want without worrying about whether or not it’s on your list. By involving your loved ones in the process, you can ensure that your registry is complete and perfect for you.

Final Thoughts

Creating a wedding registry can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can create a practical and personal registry by following these simple steps. So get started today and enjoy the process of selecting the perfect gifts for your big day!

Note: This is a collaborative post

5 year anniversary card

Pic Credit: Boomf

This time of year is mega busy in the Mamma Fairy house, lots of wedding anniversaries occur and lost of milestone ones this year in our extended family.  One thing I am known for in our circle is the effort I put into cards, my brothers is first up and he celebrates 5 years married and my go to for a unique 5 Year Anniversary Card is Boomf. Go now and have a nosey as they have a brilliant selection of not only cards but also gift boxes from sweets, chocolate to prosecco. There really is lots to choose from. See graphic opposite of a very small snippet of the huge selection of 5 year anniversary card or gift options available.

Historically a 5 year anniversary gift was thought to be wood however I think my little brother and his would really appreciate a cool unique 5 year anniversary card or keepsake from Boomf.  I have linked the site above, however they don’t just stock 5 year anniversary cards as the link above might suggest they cover a massive range of cards for all milestones and occasions.

10 year anniversary celebrations 

Pic Credit: Boomf

Next up we celebrate 11 years married, we had planned to visit Dubrovnik for our 10 year anniversary but covid had any plans for us so it got pushed back to this year. We are super excited to be off to Sun Gardens Dubrovnik to celebrate.  It also happens to be a milestone birthday for me so a double weekend of celebrations albeit the wedding one a year later than we had hoped. It will also be another step closer to our goal of 100 countries before my youngest turns 18. For any of my family reading this, I see Boomf do a lovely Pornstar Martini gift set!! (**hint hint**)

40 year anniversary celebrations

My parents celebrate the amazing achievement of 40 years married this July, how amazing is that? I really hope we manage the same. I just love the contrast from searching for 5 year anniversary card to 40 year anniversary card.

The traditional gift for a 40 year anniversary is Ruby, a wonderful milestone to reach.

My husbands grandparents celebrated 60 years married just before his granddad passed away. A fabulous milestone to reach.

From 5 year anniversary card searching to 40 year anniversary card searching the upcoming months are filled with celebrations of love and that really does my heart good.

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Hyacinth: princess of fragrance and colour

If you want to have a colourful party in your garden in early spring, hyacinths can definitely bring the right atmosphere. Their impressive flower clusters, in the most striking shades, offer an explosion of colour. Plant them this autumn! Anybody  who  knows  me  well  knows  my  love  for  hyacinths.

History

Hyacinths originate from the eastern Mediterranean, from central Turkey to Lebanon. The flower colour was blue originally and the flower clusters consisted of single flowers. By the 18th century, breeding was in full swing and new varieties, such as double-flowered (multiflora) and other colours, were introduced on the market.

Fragrance and colours

These days, hyacinths come in a variety of colours such as pink, red, blue, purple, salmon, yellow, black and white. In addition to their gorgeous colours, they are delightfully fragrant. Each flower colour has its own unique scent, which you can enjoy from March through May. You could mix up the colours in your garden, or use a single colour. Whatever makes you happy!

Planting

Hyacinth bulbs should be planted in autumn (October or November). Find them a nice spot in the sun or half-shade, where excess water can drain away. For best results, plant them in odd numbers: groups of 3, 5, 7 etcetera. Plant them three times as deep as the bulb itself is tall. Hyacinths are sensitive to frost, so you need to give them enough time to form roots before the frost.

Frost

If you live in an area with heavy frost in winter, plant the hyacinth bulbs deeper and make sure the bulbs are covered by at least 20 centimetres of soil. It is also a good idea to cover the planted hyacinths with leaf mulch or garden turf afterwards. Once the hyacinth bulbs have been in the ground and settled for a year, they will be less vulnerable to frost.

A perennial plant

Hyacinth bulbs bloom year after year. That’s because they are perennial bulbs. The flower clusters will be large and full in the first year; thereafter the clusters are less full, but no less beautiful. This results in a more natural look. Did you know that the little flowers on the flower clusters are called “spikes”?

Interesting facts:

• Hyacinths are suitable for picking gardens. How wonderful to have home-grown and home-picked scent bombs brightening up your home!
• Hyacinthus is a symbol of peace and power.
• If you want to create a wow effect, plant the bulbs so close together that they almost touch.
• Hyacinths are suitable for planting in pots. Choose pots with a hole in the bottom or make one or more holes in the bottom yourself so that excess water can drain away.
• Did you know that you can also grow hyacinth bulbs indoors in glass jars or vases? There are special hyacinth glasses for this that you fill up with water. Put the hyacinth bulb on top, just above the water.

Note: This is a collaborative post