Mommy Has to Work

Keeping Your Family Going After An Accident Or Emergency

November 1, 2019 By Anne

When you’ve had an accident or emergency, because you’ve been taken ill or been injured recently, your family life can feel a bit up in the air. You’ve got yourself to focus on, and you need to get better, but you’ve still got your partner, your parents, and your children to look after at the same time. It can feel like you’re in an impossible situation!

Of course, we’ve talked before about what to do if you’ve been injured in the workplace, and how to stay afloat when out of work due to illness or injury, but we want to touch a little more on keeping family life stable when one or both of these two things are happening. After all, the kids always know when something is wrong, no matter how hard you try to hide things from them!

So, without further ado, here are some of the key steps to keeping family life stable and ongoing whilst you’re out of work and trying to heal up. There are quite a few changes you’ll have to make, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unhappy at the same time.

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Have Plenty of One on One Time

Your family are going to know something is up; they’re going to react accordingly, and there might be a lot more noise and upset in the house at the moment. Of course, this isn’t good for your recovery period! And it’s certainly not good for the wellbeing of your entire family.

Which is why it’s important to have plenty of one on one time. If you’re able to pull your children aside, one by one, and spend a good couple hours with them and only them alone, you’re going to prove to them that you’re still OK! You’re going to show them you still love them, and that things haven’t changed for the worse. Most of all, you’re going to dedicate a bit of time to them, in a calm, slow paced environment, and show them things are still stable and loving.

Children don’t go along well with uncertainty, and you never know how they might lash out because of it, so take the time beforehand to stop tantrums and meltdowns in their tracks.

Take Some Time to State Your Rights

If you have recently had an accident in which you sustained quite a serious injury, and you’re still living with and recovering from it a good few months later, you have the chance to state and asset your rights here. And by that we mean it’s time to get compensation! Because maintaining a normal sense of family life doesn’t come cheap, and there’s a good chance you’ve been out of work for a good while now.

Contact a company like Hupy and Abraham to help you out with a case like this. You’re suffering from a personal injury, and you know for a fact that it wasn’t your fault, and now’s the time to get someone on your side to fight your corner properly. Of course, it won’t be cheap to hire a lawyer, but the ensuing damages you’ll win will more than cover any expenses you’ll have to deal with during a process like this.

And if you have a bit of time to spare right now, you might want to look into legal expenses insurance, and see if it’s something you might be able to apply for.

Immediately Update Your Budget

And finally, you’re going to need to change your budget around a little. You might be out of work for a while, or any benefits you receive might not cover such a period like this, and you’re going to need to update how you spend the money you still have coming in.

Things might have to be cut out for the time being, and you might have to start buying off brands and knockoffs more than the branded stuff you know the kids actually like. Well, if you don’t tell them there’s been a change, there’s a good chance they won’t even know the cereal they’re chowing down on is different!

If you’ve recently had an accident or emergency, don’t let your family life go to pot. Don’t let things continue as if your illness/injury never occurred, and always be sure to address the elephant in the room. It’s for the good of your children, after all, and they’re going to need to be clear over what’s going to happen from now on.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

4 Things to Do with Your Children on Your Day Off

October 28, 2019 By Anne

Whether you are a looking for activities to do with your children at the weekend or during the school vacations approaching, you are likely worried about keeping them entertained for a long period of time. It is important that you have a varied selection of activities that you can do with your kids. Children can easily become bored, and bored children are more likely to misbehave and be disruptive. So, by having a few different activities prepared, you can limit the amount of bad behavior and tantrums that you’ll have to endure. Therefore, we have put together some great ideas of things to do with your children on your day off. Whether you are home or away, you and your kids can do these activities without too much time or preparation.

Head to the Local Park

Most parents have experienced naughty and restless children due to them being been stuck in the house all day, so as nice as it is to spend your day off at home relaxing, you should take an hour out where you can to go to the local park. This is a great way to give your children some free time to run about and explore without you having to worry about them destroying the house! If you live locally to a park, then great – you don’t even need to take the car, and the walk will burn off some extra energy. But don’t worry if you don’t have a park nearby – the car journey there will be worth it, and the one on the way back will probably be silent!

See a Show

During the school vacation when you have some spare time together with your children, you may decide to treat them and catch a show together! This is both a fun, educational, and cultural activity that you can enjoy just as much as your children will. Whether you take your kids to see their favorite band, to see a sports event, or even to see the latest theatre performance, you will find all the tickets you need at TicketSales.com.

Have a Duvet Day

While it is important to keep your kids entertained and active, you should also remember that it is impossible to be doing something with them every minute of every day. At some point, you or your children are going to need a rest, and spending some quality time together doesn’t necessarily mean doing something that costs a lot of money or effort. So don’t feel bad about jumping under the duvet on the sofa and watching your favorite movies together.

Exercise

Generally, parents are conscious of ensuring that their children regularly engage in physical exercise, and the best way to do this is to make exercise a fun activity. So, spend your next day off together going swimming, joining a dance class, or going for a long walk in a local nature spot.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your time off having fun with your children!

Anne

Pick These Doable and Worthwhile Bathroom-Remodel Ideas on a Budget

October 15, 2019 By Anne

Many reasons motivate people to remodel their homes. According to a Houzz survey, wanting to do it all along and having the time or financial means for the renovation ranked as the no. 1 motivation for 57 percent of respondents. You may feel the same about your bathroom, a high-traffic area that makes it prone to wear and tear.

Luckily, you have some free time from your busy schedule to go over ideas for a bathroom remodeling project. You can keep the costs low and on the budget by focusing on upgrades that are light and right. Moms like you are no strangers to budgeting as having kids changes everything.

With a vision and elbow grease to execute your plan to completion, you can accomplish your bathroom makeover on a tight budget. Begin now.

Find Your Purpose

What do you want to achieve with the bathroom renovation? The common goals include these:

Freshen the bathroom’s look
Make space appear bigger
Free up space, such as by removing oversized fixtures
Modernize the fixtures

With a defined goal, you can proceed to research, watch tutorials, and look up the costs of materials and labor, if need be, as well as hiring skip bins sydney, or wherever you are, should you wish to have a clear place to put any waste that the project produces. It becomes easier to determine how much to set aside from the household budget for upgrades, like those below.

Free Up Space for Bold Wallpaper

Sometimes, all it takes is a wallpaper to remodel a bathroom. TMoorehome.com shares how to make a small powder room appear bigger and better by using a tropical-themed palm-leaf wallpaper. It provides a whimsical backdrop for the mirror, the medicine cabinet, and the toilet. Plus, if you have any antique mirrors in your bathroom, a bright wallpaper is the perfect way to incorporate a maximalist style.

One takeaway from the project is that bold-print wallpapers need only cover one wall, and it’s less costly this way.

Stick to Tile Decals

Removing old tiles takes a lot of time, effort, and money, ranging from $7 to $25 per foot, according to HomeGuide’s estimates. Shower tiles with intricate designs can cost more.

As an alternative, opt for tile decals or stickers in colors and patterns that your kids approve. When shopping for decals, make sure they are waterproof, easy to remove if you are renting, and safe to install on the floor.

Upgrade Your Bathroom Hardware

The doorknob can use a turn for the better, such as a vintage door handle that is ornately designed. Think of changing the drawer pulls, bathroom faucets, towel racks, robe holders, grips, etc. to give them a consistent theme and feel.

Bathroom hardware has so many finishes, from nickel to gold. For faucets, make sure that the new ones have the same installation type.

Deal with Glass Blocks

Have you inherited glass blocks in the bathroom? You can improve them in many ways.

For one, you can apply a tint or film that looks like wallpaper for privacy and aesthetics. Another option is to mount curtains or shades to cover the spot when it’s too bright outside. Also, check and replace any crumbling grout surrounding the glass blocks to avoid leaking.

Utilize the Windowsill

Instead of it collecting dust and random objects, the windowsill can be a storage or decorative spot. You can place plants, bottles of toiletries, books, and picture frames. Some people extend the ledge with a table to hold towels and other stuff. If you want it to be clutter-free, you can limit the display to one or two items.

Refinish the Tub

Does your bathtub look worn with paint peeling off and cracks here and there? It would be too expensive to rip the fixture out and buy a new one. Look into refinishing to provide a surface-level restoration of the tub.

Do-it-yourself kits are available, along with how-to videos on YouTube. This process is also useful when changing the color of the bathtub from avocado or mustard to white.

Install an Efficient Toilet

A significant upgrade is a toilet. Consider replacing the one you have with a macerating toilet to save water. This type of toilet also features simple installation that you can do yourself, as well as portability (check the model) to meet the needs of family members.

For as long as an area in your house has water and electric supply, you can install the toilet there. Moreover, you have the option to connect the macerating pump with the sink or shower for greywater discharge.

Hopefully, these ideas will help you remodel your bathroom and enhance the comfort and convenience of your family.

Photo URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/LGJ6MkX-la4

Anne

Vacation Activities the Whole Family Will Love

October 15, 2019 By Anne

There’s a lot to look forward to when planning a family vacation. Unfortunately, many families get to their destination and wish they never left home. Without careful planning, members of your family will be bored, which can make you feel frustrated.

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling with a toddler, a teen, or if grandma decides to tag along, you can find fun things to do nearly everywhere that the entire family will love.

Catch a Show

One of the best things you can do when traveling with other family members is to catch a show. When you choose the right one, you can ensure even the youngest and oldest members of your family are entertained.

A play in a local theater or a musical concert in an outdoor amphitheater will do, but if you think outside the box, you can make sure everyone makes memories they will never forget. For example, “The General Jackson Showboat Lunch & Dinner Cruises provide an amazing adventure to those visiting Nashville, TN.” Because shows take place on a riverboat and dinner is served, everyone is sure to have a good time!

Have a very young or very old family members with you? Avoid buying tickets for shows after 8:00 PM. Instead, choose a matinee.

Visit a Museum

It doesn’t matter where you go, chances are, there’s a museum nearby. There are museums of history, museums of art, and funky museums full of collections you would never expect. There’s a lot to look at in a museum, which makes it perfect for the whole family.

Another benefit of scheduling a trip to the museum on your next vacation is the fact that many museums are free, or admittance is granted with a small donation. It’s an affordable way to spend the afternoon when you’re traveling with a large crew, and you will all will reap the benefits a trip to the museum has to offer.

Get Outside

You probably spend a lot of time thinking about the places you’re going to go when you’re on vacation. If you’re traveling with multiple family members, you should rethink your strategy. Instead of focusing on shows, theme parks, and restaurants, consider making the outdoors your destination instead.

Getting outside comes with many benefits, including health benefits. It will reduce stress, which is a good thing for a family vacation, and the entire crew is sure to have a great time. A few ideas for spending time outside on vacation include:

Bring a picnic lunch to a local park.
Find a nature trail and go for a walk.
Spend the day sitting on the beach.
Rent bicycles and go for a ride.
Go camping in a tent or an RV.
Buy fishing licenses and go fishing.
Rent a boat and let the kids water ski or kneeboard.

Go Shopping

Going shopping can be a lot of fun when you go on vacation! You just have to mindful of the ages of the people coming with you.

For example, if grandma and grandpa are coming along, make sure you plan plenty of time to sit and rest. If you’re bringing the kids, especially if they’re little, come prepared with a convertible stroller and all the supplies you’ll need for the day. Older kids will have a fun time shopping if you provide them with a budget so they can buy a few things to take home.

No matter who you’re shopping with, it’s a good idea to choose places that aren’t very crowded. Avoid big sales and the busiest shopping times so you don’t lose your toddler or grandma in the crowd.

Get Hands-On

Vacations can do a lot of things, which includes making you smarter. Although some locations are more likely to boost your brain than others, you can find ways to learn and get hands-on, no matter where you go on vacation.

For example, the kids will love taking paddleboard or surfing lessons, and grandma and grandpa will love watching them learn. Craft classes are especially fun for the whole family. Let the kids take turns on a pottery wheel or learn how to use a loom to make a family rug. You can find painting classes, cooking classes, and much more that will be fun for the whole family!

The more people you travel with, the harder it is to keep everybody happy. That’s especially the case if you’re traveling with very young or old family members. With these tips, you’ll be able to find at least one thing to do that everyone will love!

Anne

5 Superfood Smoothies to Start Your Day Right

October 4, 2019 By Anne

Superfoods are nutritionally dense foods that are deemed to have various benefits capable of positively affecting health. The term is coined for marketing purposes and is still considered popular today. While nutritionists and other experts have come to agree that there is no such thing as a superfood, the buzz around it has made thousands of people become more conscious of healthy living and wellness, so it isn’t too bad.

One of the many ways superfoods are enjoyed is to combine them in a smoothie. The idea is to blend as many vitamins and antioxidants as there is in one single serving to help nourish the body. Breakfast is said to be one of the major meals to never skip on, and if you’re not a breakfast person, a superfood smoothie that you can leisurely sip while on the go may sound appealing to you.

With a breakfast smoothie, you don’t need to heat up a pan or produce several dirty dishes aside from the food processor or blender. Using the right ingredients can help boost energy, keep you full, and get started for the day. Here are some creative concoctions that will leave your taste buds fulfilled and happy.

Chocolate and Avocado

Avocado is considered a superfood because it is rich in folic acid, lutein, fiber, omega-3, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. It is said to have more potassium than bananas have and to be loaded with fiber and antioxidants. While incredibly nutritious, avocado is also known for its flavor and texture, which is why avocado toast has been popular in the last few years.

If you’ve never gotten into the avocado-toast trend for breakfast or brunch, then you may want to consider combining it with chocolate and turning it into a smoothie. Those who say you can’t have chocolate for breakfast clearly never had this nutritious drink to wake up to. Take a look at this great recipe so you can make one at home.

Matcha Green Tea, Banana, and Tofu

Ever since the term superfood was coined, the health industry has been constantly looking for foods to add to the group, and matcha green tea is one of them. For those who don’t know, real matcha only comes from Japan, and its purported health benefits include a substantial amount of antioxidants. To be more specific, the particular antioxidant found in matcha is called catechins, which are said to improve overall health, metabolism, and heart health and to have antiaging properties.

Matcha is more potent than regular green tea is and has a unique flavor that is completely on its own league. It has a slightly bitter taste and grassy aroma, which can complement a lot of flavors. While matcha is already good on its own, a smoothie made from it and blended with banana and tofu can make the drink taste more full-bodied. This recipe can show you how you can make matcha green tea, banana, and tofu smoothie on your own.

Kale and Pineapple

Kale is also a popular vegetable known in the superfood category and is known for its deep-green color and slightly bitter taste. It makes sense to pair it with a sweet fruit like pineapple to balance the taste and add more nutritional vitamins and minerals in the mix. A quick breakfast smoothie should only have a few ingredients, and luckily, this recipe has only five.

You only need to add a tablespoon of chia seeds, unsweetened almond milk or nondairy milk of your choice, and either a banana or an avocado, depending on what you have. If you want to add more sweetness, you can add a splash of maple syrup. The great thing about smoothies is that ingredient substitution is easy.

Cucumber and Mint

Suppose it’s a hot summer morning and you want to refresh yourself and have a hearty helping of daily fruits and vegetables. A cucumber-and-mint smoothie will be perfect. While cucumber is not everyone’s cup of tea, it gets mistaken a lot as a vegetable, but it is, in fact, a fruit. It has a sweet aftertaste and is great for low-fat smoothies and suitable for those who are trying to lose weight.

Pairing cucumber with mint and lemon will serve to amp its refreshing factor when drunk on a hot day. This recipe teaches you how to make one on your own with easy-to-find ingredients that may already exist in the kitchen. Take it on the go or sip leisurely at will.

Acai Berry

You’ve probably heard of the trendy acai smoothie bowls, and while you can eat acai any way you can, why not turn it into a literal drink? Acai is the OG superfood, and it is packed with many nutrients.

In this recipe, the smoothie will also include two other superfoods, raspberries and pomegranate juice. If you don’t have acai berries on hand or if they’re out of season, you can use the powdered form instead. For a nutritionally dense breakfast smoothie, the prep time of five minutes is ridiculously short.

What other superfood combinations do you like to turn into breakfast smoothies? Share your answers below.

Photo URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/Mg9949eKtU8