Being a parent can long and difficult journey with a lot of milestones along the way. Those big events that come in every child’s life come as a big challenge for the parents but if you’re prepared for them, it doesn’t have to be that hard. These are some of the biggest milestones that all parents are going to face and how to deal with them.

The First Day Of School

Sending your child off to school for the first time is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. The idea of leaving them all day in the care of some complete strangers is incredibly scary and when you get home, it’s difficult to know what to do with yourself. It’s important that you hold it together because it’s a very stressful time for your child as well and if they pick up on the fact that you’re worried, it’ll make things worse for them. The second thing to remember is to always keep yourself busy. If you just sit around waiting for them to come home the hours will turn into days and it’ll feel like forever before they get back. Just get on with whatever you have to do for the day and they’ll be back before you know it.

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My oldest started school this year.   It was a momentous occasion for both me and him. Now that the first term is done and dust what have I learned?  I’ll be honest I was quite apprehensive about how we would all adapt to this new routine but its funny how we worry so unnecessarily. School life has become part of everyday life. As a total newbie into the school system the first couple of months have been a learning experience for this mama too.  And for those at the far end of this school system don’t forget for those a use the resources at your disposal such as UCAS phone number if you do have any queries on college or university admissions.

Parents Perspective

Perhaps the biggest  learning point for me was  to become super organised.  That’s having the clothes out the night before, lunches made and bags packed. Jennie from Rice Cakes and Raisins had the same advice, keep the shoes all lined up at the front door to avoid the inevitable morning panic searching the house for them or for the match! I reached out to my fellow first time school parents to see what they thought after completing the first term their top tips are:

• Jemma from Have Kids will Travel UK found of the great learning to be dealing with the new ups and downs of school friendships and not being there for them every minute. It can be so hard when your child comes home and says they were on their own or had nobody to play  with it, it just breaks my heart.
• In a similar vein Michelle from What Mummy Thinks notes not to believe everything your child says. Very true in our case! They don’t mean any harm but they can be a little generous with the truth. My advice would be if in doubt speak to the teacher. They are well used to hearing stories of what kids said at home and can straighten out the record very quickly.
• Never mind the kid and playground politics, it can be seen with the adults too.  Ill admit I was totally oblivious that such politics do exist however I have had first hand experience of it myself.  Natalie from Crummy Mummy also has had similar experience. However in the interest of balance Helena from Babyfoote assures us that this doesn’t exist in every school and that real friendships can be made at the school gate.

Teachers perspective

We have heard some view points for new parents. Now lets here from the other side. My sister is a teacher and kindly offered some insights:

• Keep communication with the teacher/ school open don’t be afraid to seek clarification if your child says something or if you have a concern. Teachers are more than happy to ally any fears you might have.
• Always check the school bag/ lunch box for notes. Kids have a habit of forgetting!
• We are human too if the uniform isn’t perfectly pressed stained etc it doesn’t matter these things happen, none of us are perfect.
• Use the resources that are available. If extra assistance is needed there are lots of resources available to assist and don’t be afraid to ask or utilise additional resources such as for example dyslexia support for teachers and parents.
• Encourage your child all the way, praise the good, listen to the stories and show interest in their homework. Regardless of what you may have thought of school or homework yourself do try not to project that view on to your child.

If you have any other words of wisdom please do share them with us.

Note: This is a collaborative post however I retain full editorial control

I recently wrote this post which discussed what “me time” means and with the help of some lovely fellow bloggers, it become clear “me time” can mean a vast array of things to different people.  Which in itself celebrate the diversity the is among us.  In this instalment I look it it from the point of view of activities as in what kind of activities make up “me time”.  Again im thrilled to have input here from lots of fellow bloggers.  First up – for myself, its an easy one – me time is getting out and going for a long run or a pilates class.  I love the sense of escapism both of these activities provide.

Running/ Exercise

I’m not alone in pounding the payment for some “me time”  Natalie from Plutonium Sox Leyla from Motherhood Diaries and Lucy from Momma Mack also love it as their “me time”.

Gaming/ Online/ TV

I’m guilty myself of getting lost in social media while supposed to be taking time out! However for Sarah Mummy Cat Notes  and Pete from Household Money Saving its gaming such as on the playstation that works for them for others its online gaming such as bingo. In addition taking time to watch that rom com of soap can often give me that much needed switch off time. I do try not to look at social media in bed however im not always dedicated enough to put that phone or tablet away! 

Simple pleasures

Sometimes we can take the simply things in life for granted and it can often be five minutes spent doing an every day task in peace that makes the ideal “me time” for example reading a book, watching TV interrupted or even cooking! For some of my fellow blogger – the blog itself can be a form of espcapeism doing what they enjoy.

Across both posts is abundantly clear that me time can mean so many different things but I think the most important thing is to know what your own “me time” is.

Note: This is a collaborative post

In a hectic world of kids, full time job and blogging, sometimes it can be hard to come off that conveyor belt and take some time for me.  I suffered with blood pressure on both of the boys and while I should have known how important that breather, that five minutes to yourself was, I didn’t and for want of a better explanation I let myself go. The weight piled on, my skin looked awful same goes for my hair, so began a vicious circle where I didn’t want to leave the house. Some gentle intervention from my family and I can happily say im in much better place.

What I realised was that self care was important  and that’s even on bad days and self care can mean many different things to different people. I reached out to some of my fellow bloggers for their thoughts on this also.  Such was the reaction to this post that I have split it into two and in this one I focus on beauty.  Ill go first! For me it started with caring for my skin and taking those 10  minutes a day to do just that. I suffered from bad skin in my teens which rectified itself as I hit my twenties, now in the tail end  of my thirties I was back to square on. Some top tips:

• A good base is crucial, products like  Facial Enhancer are great for deep cleansing and improving texture.
• Find the moisturiser that works for you, that’s not saying it has to be mega expensive. These days I am loving Ziaja skincare products they are reasonably priced and readily available.
• As above find an everyday make up brand. I used to begrudge wearing my beloved high end foundation for the school run! Instead I found a good alternative which has turned out to be Elf Cosmetics   incredibly reasonable in price and last the distance too.

So what does “Me Time” mean to others – The Beauty Ed

• Helen from Natural Beauty with Baby loves chilling with a gorgeous face scrub
• Jemma from Have Kids will Travel UK loves a Spa day to herself. (love this myself!)
• The long hot bath featured heavily too with Stevie from This Mumma Needs Tea Becky from Mommy and Rory and Nina from Ready for Cuppa all loving it as some “me time” to chill out. I can empathise, im a fan of this myself.

Note : This is a collaborative post

While Utah is mainly famous for its various skiing points as it receives 500 inches of snow per year, it has a diverse topography. From the Great Basin to the Rocky Mountains, there is a lot to see here. 

Also known as the Beehive State, it has a thriving agricultural industry. With farms covering over 11 million acres of state, its primary agricultural income stems from livestock, and hay is one of the state’s largest crops. Hence, to preserve the crops, farmers must invest in large and well-ventilated storage spaces. Utah pole barns are perfectly suited for this purpose, and you will find plenty of them as you explore the different cities.

Choosing the Right Pole Barn

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Preserving livestock and crops is easier and more cost-efficient with the help of pole barns. Additionally, Utah’s climate is conducive to rainfall and snowfall, and hence, with the help of these barns, farmers can ensure that their livestock and crops are safe from damage.

There are several uses of pole barns, but your barn must be built with care. The quality of the barn will determine whether it is a worthwhile investment. Wondering how you can ensure that your barn is the best it can be? Here is what you should know:

The Location

As mentioned earlier, Utah has a diverse topography. Hence, the soil type also differs from area to area. When installing a pole barn, soil type (mainly whether it is loose sandy soil or more packed), soil erosion, and the probability of natural calamity play a significant role.

Material

Traditionally, pole barns are constructed out of high-quality wood. However, accessibility to recycled steel has made it a popular choice for farmers. It is more durable, does not rot, and a more sustainable option to construct pole barns.

Weather

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Across Utah, the weather conditions differ. While the state generally has a dry, desert-like climate, the western part receives heavy rainfall and snow cover and can be quite humid. These factors must be considered when constructing a pole barn. Materials used should be durable in these conditions, and proper care is also required to maintain them.

Storage

What you store inside your pole barn also matters when deciding how it will be constructed. The different crops or livestock you store in your pole barn will influence how the traffic lanes are situated to allow you to have easy access. If you are housing large animals, naturally, your pole barn will also need to be spacious.

Future Use

When investing in Utah pole barns, it is vital to think of how you may use the space in the future. These structures are quite versatile; they can be used as garages, workshops, and even cozy homes. Thus, when planning your pole barn, try to picture how space can be used in the future.

Pole barns are a worthwhile investment for farmers in Utah. They help you stay organized, provide you with ample storage, and act as space where you can fulfill future needs. 

When constructed with the help of a reputed company, they can meet your present and future needs.

A good photo of your kids or grandchildren when they are laughing or smiling is always nice. You only have to look at it to lift your spirits and end up smiling yourself.

The problem is that these days more and more kids are too self-conscious to actually smile properly. Usually, this is because they are missing teeth. Unfortunately, childhood tooth decay is a growing problem. Instead of the number of fillings and extractions falling, they are on the increase. As a result, parents need to make teaching their children good dental hygiene a priority.

Educate yourself

The first step is to visit blogs that are actually written by dentists to learn about proper dental hygiene. There you can quickly learn about common dental problems, the latest hygiene techniques and how to help your children to look after their teeth. From personal experience, I would make sure as a parent to educate yourself on orthodontics and what is required and when to seek more information or perhaps even seek a consultation with a dentist, as issues like this will often require earlier intervention to resolve it. Therefore, knowing what to look out for is important. You should also familiarise yourself with what dental options are available for your child, as they can vary from fillings to braces, and you can read more here for an example of a dentist specialising in the latter. 

Baby teeth really do matter

An awful lot of parents make the mistake of thinking that baby teeth do not matter much because they soon fall out. Whilst this is understandable thinking like that is a big mistake that can have a very negative impact on a child´s long-term dental health. For example, a full set of healthy baby teeth is essential for setting the mouth up for the emergence of their adult teeth. If there are baby teeth missing there is a good chance that they will need braces and other dental treatments to straighten their adult teeth out.

Set a good example

By far the best way to teach your children the importance of dental hygiene is setting a good example. If you brush and floss at least twice a day your kids are far more likely to do so as well. This also extends to booking your own dental appointments or even taking your kids with you so that they see the set up and what happens in a dental practice.  If you are unsure or new to booking a quick search including your local area, something like “dentist Essex” will bring up relevant local results. Setting a good example is vital. 

Teach your children about sugar

After you or your child has eaten something sugary get into the habit of cleaning your teeth. You will be really surprised at how doing this reduces your child´s thirst for things like sugary drinks. They are far more likely to opt to drink water instead of pop, especially if they are busy playing a game. The last thing they want is to have to get up, stop what they are doing, and go to wash their teeth. Naturally, they are more likely to ask for water rather than a sugary drink.

This is good for their general health as well as reducing the chances of them suffering from tooth decay. You can find out more about the connection between a child´s sugar consumption levels and the chances of them having problems with their teeth, by reading this article.

Supervise your child´s teeth cleaning

When your children are young, you bath them, dress them and, naturally, clean their teeth. Pretty soon their dexterity improves to the point where they are able to start taking care of those tasks themselves. Or, so you think. In reality, even children who are perfectly capable of dressing themselves will not actually clean their teeth properly. Even if they know how to do, and are physically capable of doing it, the chances are that a lot of the time they will not spend enough time actually brushing in the correct way.

You really should supervise your child´s teeth cleaning routine until you are 100% sure they are doing it properly and really understand the importance of doing so. Occasionally using disclosing tablets is a good way to check what they are doing and show them what areas they are missing.

Using the above information will help you to avoid the most common childhood dental hygiene mistakes. This should result in your child having fewer problems with their teeth and being able to avoid having to have extractions or fillings.