Of the books I have most recently reviewed, this one is one of the best I have read. Tangled Up by Jamie Edelbrock is very well written. Whether you have a child that needs to begin counseling and you need help beginning that journey with them or if you have a child who needs some extra help to manage feelings, this book does a great job in those conversations. I donated this to my sister, an elementary school Counselor. What a great gift for a Counselor as well as families who have a child with a mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.
Tangled Up is intended to lessen the fear of the unknown and shines a positive, peaceful light on mental health and therapy. It colorfully shows how the beautiful threads of us can become tangled, and how therapists and counselors are here to help us twirl bravely through life.
All children handle emotions and feelings differently and no matter their level of tangled up they may be, this book is great for them! Buy now on Amazon.
The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time. But if you’re a pet owner, chances are your beloved fur baby might find this new change in routine hard to adjust to!
When you bring a newborn baby home, your pet will likely find the new sights, sounds, and scents overwhelming. If your cat or dog has never known life with an infant then this new arrival can pose a threat. While some pets are able to adjust perfectly well, others may become fearful and even jealous – resulting in behavioral issues.
Planning ahead is one of the best ways to help your pet adjust to a new baby and the change in routine that comes along with it.
Preparing your pet for baby’s arrival
In the months leading up to the baby’s arrival, you can begin making small changes to your pet’s routine that will prepare them for when the baby is home.
One of the most important ways to prepare is by rectifying any behavioral issues such as jumping or barking. Taking your pet to obedience school or training them to stop behaviors that could upset the baby will teach them the skills they’ll need to interact safely with the new family member.
You can also begin to introduce your pet to the baby’s room and any items such as a stroller or cot to help them familiarise themselves with all items associated with a new baby.
Allow your dog to smell products such as baby lotion and get used to the new scents that will become commonplace in a few month’s time. For cat owners, identifying areas that are “off-limits” such as the baby’s changing table will also help to deter them from jumping up on or using these areas when the baby is home.
Introducing a baby to pet
One of the best ways to introduce your pet to your newborn is by first bringing home baby blankets from the hospital prior to your arrival. That way, your dog or cat can get used to the scent of the baby in the home.
Once you do bring the baby home, it’s important to greet your pet straight away and make it known that you’ve missed them. This will help soothe any feelings of fear, isolation, or jealousy in your pet.
Ensure that you have a helper with you to supervise your pet as you sit down with the baby. When your pet has calmed down, you can have your helper bring them to you and the baby. Allow your pet to inspect the baby through sniffing and soft nuzzling and be sure to reward positive behavior.
Adjusting to your new routine
This new household dynamic can take some getting used to, especially for your pet. It’s important to look out for any signs of distress that your pet may give off such as whimpering, excessive barking, or growling.
If this occurs, it’s important to take the baby out of the room and away from the dog. Be careful not to punish the dog. If you do, your dog will associate the baby with negativity and won’t learn to positively adjust. It can take up to nine months for a pet to fully adjust to a new member of a household. In this time, be sure to exercise the following to maintain a peaceful routine:
Always supervise your pet around the baby/children.
Ensure quality time with your pet.
Get your pet used to being around the baby. Encourage curious sniffing and gentle touch.
Reward positive interactions (nuzzling, licking, snuggling with you and baby, etc.) with a treat or cuddles.
Help your pet associate the baby with positive experiences.
Consult your vet for pet care advice or tips if you notice signs of continued aggression toward the baby.
The key to a safe and happy way to introduce your pet to a new baby is lots of care and attention. Allow your pet to explore these new sights and smells at its own pace, and avoid any forced interactions between pet and baby.
Rewarding your pet with praise and healthy homemade treats whenever it demonstrates good behaviors around the baby is the easiest way to maintain a positive relationship between both. Never leave your baby alone with your pet and always maintain supervision when both are in the same space.
Remember, the movements and sounds of a newborn can be alarming to your pet which may cause them to act in a defensive or fearful way. With time, your pet will become used to this new addition to the family and, as the baby grows, will appreciate having a new playmate!
Even if you love your job or can’t imagine life without a full-time career, the day will likely come when you are ready to retire and enjoy your golden years with fewer responsibilities. How can you be confident that when that day arrives, you will have enough money to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of? The best solution is to make sure you are well prepared.
When it comes to investing for your future, the longer you have to prepare, the better, so start researching, planning, and investing today. To get started, consider these financial planning strategies for attaining financial freedom during your retirement years.
Do Your Homework
Everyone knows that the most essential step in any good plan is thorough research. To make wise decisions when developing a financial plan, you need to educate yourself on available investment options. There are books and online guides to educate you on all facets of retirement planning, as well as tools for determining anticipated expenses and income. If you are still unclear after studying your options, you may want to consider contacting a financial planner for help.
Speaking of homework, it’s not ideal, but you should really consider just staying prepared and expecting the unexpected. For example, getting into a car accident, unexpected medical bills, having to retire early due to illness, cognitive health decline, and sometimes (as unfortunate as it is), you might deal with a lawsuit where you need an arson defense lawyer. It’s not fun to think of these scenarios, but you just never know what could happen.
Invest in a Retirement Annuity
If you want a guaranteed revenue stream during your retirement years, consider purchasing an annuity. There are options that allow you to pay with one lump sum of money, as well as options that allow you to make regular payments over a period of time.
Additionally, different annuities offer different systems of payout. There are variable annuities that base their return rates on the performance of a select portfolio of stocks, but for peace of mind, many investors prefer fixed annuities. Because this type of annuity offers a fixed rate of return for the rest of your life or a preselected number of years, you have guaranteed income you can count on.
Consider a Life Insurance Policy
When it comes to retirement planning, many people overlook the necessity of life insurance. However, everyone knows that life can bring sudden surprises, and it’s best to be prepared.
To ensure your beneficiaries are not left in a financially vulnerable position, consider taking out a life insurance policy. The concept of this type of plan is that you pay the insurance company a regular premium, and when you die, the company provides a predetermined amount of money to your beneficiaries.
In terms of timing, the sooner you acquire life insurance, the lower your premiums are likely to be. However, if you overlooked this investment and are already in your golden years, don’t worry. There are life insurance plans for seniors that can be customized to fit your needs at an affordable price.
Maximize Employer Contributions
If you are planning for your retirement while still working, take advantage of any retirement benefits offered by your employer. It’s very common for companies to offer a 401(k) plan that allows you to invest pre-tax income. The money is taken directly out of your paycheck, and consequently, you are able to easily and painlessly invest.
Some employers also offer matching contribution plans in which they contribute company money towards your 401(k) plan. These companies match up to a designated percentage of your income if you also invest that amount. For example, if the designated matching level is 3%, the firm will contribute 3% if you do. Because this doubles your investment, it’s critical to take advantage of this offer and contribute at least the percentage your company is willing to match.
Investing in your future is vital if you hope to experience the retirement lifestyle you deserve. Thankfully, with thorough research, careful planning, and effective strategies, you can rest easy knowing that you are doing what it takes to prepare for a future filled with new opportunities and exciting possibilities.
Once again, I have partnered with some great brands to bring you many Summer-themed brands and topics so you can make this 2021 Summer, an epic one after a long year for all of us!
Keep checking in as I add more…..
Nature’s Beauty — a plant-based line of cruelty-free bath and body care products — launched three new collections at Walgreens nationwide. Get your skin summer ready!
The Ayurvedic Sun Cream is a thick blend of antioxidant rich herbs and plant oils that have high natural SPF factors, then mixed with zinc and rose hydrosol.
French Blue Wine 2020 Bordeaux Rosé has an American twist on French rosé. What is American about it? It is in the blend of fresh-cut flavor of watermelon, strawberry, and cherry. It is crisp and so refreshing for a hot summer day or evening or any time of year that you need to feel warm again.
New SNASIBattery-Powered Motion-Sensing LED Stick-Anywhere Warm Nightlight pack are great to take camping, use in the RV or briung to summer rentals when in an unfamiliar space.
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