Archives for April 2018

The kids are in bed, or perhaps they’re playing peacefully with the television on in the background. An amateur would see this as a decent twenty minutes of alone time, during which you might pour yourself a glass of wine, or settle down with a good book.

Parents know that this offers them a five-minute window of time to themselves. A stealthily directed pocket of time during which you will be child free. In five minutes, you’ll be back on duty once again. Here are some inventive ways to spend your five minutes of freedom.

1. Pop some cucumber over your eyelids 

Via Pixabay

If you’re dealing with the terrible twos, it’s likely that you’re feeling stressed and getting very little sleep. When the time for your five minutes of self-care strike, pop a slice of cucumber over each eye, and lay back, allowing the cucumber to work its magic. Once the kids figure out that you’re having your own time, the cucumber’s natural vitamins will have worked their way into your skin and you will feel revitalised. It’s not a perfect substitute for a good night’s sleep, but a pick-me-up nevertheless!

2. Indulge in your mobile phone 

Via Pixabay

If you’re often surrendering your mobile devices to your kids, there may be little time or battery for you to enjoy the wonders of technology for yourself. Spend your five minutes using an app such as Duolingo to spend a spare five minutes learning a new language, or if you’re really tired, an arcade game such a tetris might be a better shout. For five minutes of exhilarating fun, you might try a Fruit Shop slot, available to play with a casino bonus from Oddschecker. Quick bursts of gaming will give you time to focus on something other than the kids, and refocus your brain for tasks that lie ahead.

3. Make a cup of tea

Via Pixabay

You might be wary making a hot drink around the kids, especially when they’re playing. Horror stories of burns are not conducive to a relaxing cup of tea. Since you’ve been acquainted with the sprogs, you’re probably running on heaped spoonfuls of instant coffee to keep you awake at strange hours. When you have a spare five minutes, try a soothing cup of tea. Whether you prefer English breakfast of camomile, you’ll find that a cuppa (and perhaps a biscuit) might just be the thing you need. For a burst of energy without the caffeine, peppermint makes a great afternoon beverage.

4. Read a chapter of a new book

Via Pixabay

It can be hard to find the time to get stuck into a new book when you have kids. When you know you have a five-minute window, pick up a new book and challenge yourself to read a chapter. The only books you will have been reading are kids books or books about kids. Whilst the Mister Men series are a lot of fun, there’s nothing like getting into a new novel. For something really juicy, try a crime thriller from Val McDermid, who’s fast paced storylines will be a departure from Mr Tickle and the gang.

5. Try a Podcast 

Via Pixabay

Listening to podcasts is a great way to spend five minutes of freedom, and you can find a podcast on anything from sci-fi thrillers to archeology. It’s a great way to get to know a new topic or reacquaint yourself with an old passion. You could even try combining a podcast with having a cup of tea or relaxing with your cucumber mask. After all, being a parent, you’re probably used to multitasking, and who doesn’t enjoy killing two birds with one stone? For something really leftfield, try the Guilty Feminist podcast – which will lift your spirits and have you giggling to yourself all afternoon.

Once they start to walk, you would think that you find more pockets of time in the day. In reality, you’ll spend your time chasing around after your little monster, hoping they don’t get into any mischief now that they’re able to get around on two legs. Fortunately, you’ll get better at managing your own time to make the most of it, and hopefully, by the time they’re able to drive, you’ll be able to enjoy an hour or so without being disturbed.

Owning your first dog is a special moment in life for you and the whole family. Dogs are unique creatures that truly become part of the family very quickly. Their love, loyalty, and devotion are unwavering, and they are the perfect companion for both the adults and kids in the family. While there is clearly a lot of love and fun involved in owning your first dog, there is also a lot of responsibility. Caring for a dog isn’t something you can take lightly, as they count on their humans to look out for them and provide for them.

As you navigate your way through dog ownership, through all its joys, laughs, and even a few challenges, there are tips and advice you can keep in mind that can make things run smoother.

It’s Never Too Early to Start Training

It doesn’t matter if you bring home a puppy or an older dog, nor does it matter what breed it is, it is never too early to start training. Training your dog should begin the moment you first walk in your house. A well-trained dog obviously gives you better control over them, but it also helps to keep them safe and happy.

There are all kinds of videos, books, and even classes that you can join that will help you with the training process.

Dogs Will Eat Anything – But that Doesn’t Mean They Should

It’s a pretty well-known fact that dogs will eat anything and everything given to them, but with that said, it doesn’t mean it’s good or safe for them. It’s a good idea to spend time researching dog food and proper nutrition and even ask your vet for some guidelines to help you out. If you find yourself asking what your dog is allowed to eat, such as “can dogs eat Brussel sprouts”, then it’s best to research it and get an answer before you just hand the food over to them.

Even when it comes to actual dog food, some kinds will be better than others for your dog, so again, it’s important you do your research.

Give Them Plenty of Time and Attention

Before even making the commitment to get a dog, it’s a good idea to ask if you’ll be able to give the dog the time and attention it deserves. Dogs aren’t solitary creatures. They enjoy being around people, more specifically their family. It can be incredibly helpful if you’re able to take a few days off to bond with your new dog when they first come home and then be aware that there could be a period of separation anxiety.

Include Exercise in the Daily Routine

The final tip is to ensure you include regular exercise in the daily routine. This could mean taking your dog for a walk, playing ball with them in the yard, or just running around in the house with them. They need that activity on a regular basis.

With these tips, you will be sure to handle dog ownership like a pro.

The weeks and the days are counting down, and you’re getting more and more excited to meet your newborn. It’ll come as no surprise to tell you that things are going to change, and they’re going to change very soon. Once your baby arrives, your world will change upside down… and for good! There will be ups and downs, of course, however, what matters is the health of your little family. Preparing for your imminent arrival isn’t always easy, and you may well have a shopping list as long as your arm. If your due date is soon approaching, then get as much advice as you can and relax in the knowledge that you’re all set to go.

Decorate Baby’s Room

The sex of your baby is determined between 16 – 20 weeks of pregnancy, so you can find out if you choose to and begin decorating the baby’s room however you deem appropriate. If you’re over the moon to be expecting, and simply cannot stop thinking about welcoming your little bundle of joy into the world, then stay up to date with your baby’s development as you pass through trimesters and milestones. Find out what you can expect from 17 weeks pregnant symptoms, and discover the size, length, and weight of your baby. In addition to this, you can also get updates on how your baby is growing and what’s happening to your own body too.

Sorting Birthing Plans

You can make birth plans throughout your pregnancy and start by deciding whether you’d prefer a natural birth or cesarean. However,  it’s important to note that you’re not always in the position to make this decision, especially if your baby presents in the breech position, for example. You can begin packing your bag for the hospital as early as a month in advance of your due date – you can’t be too prepared for one of the most important days of your life! Taking classes on how to regulate your breathing is going to help you too, so begin thinking about birth plans as soon as you can.

Baby Monitor

For safety, it is recommended that you keep a monitor in your baby’s bedroom so that you can keep an eye and an ear for how they are breathing. Ideally, and for ease, your baby should spend the first few weeks in your bedroom. You can set up the cot or Moses basket in your own room so that you can quickly attend to them should they be crying and it’s perfect for night feeds too. When your baby is asleep during the day, then you can easily set up a monitor to watch to see whether your little one is behaving normally while you’re in the kitchen, for example.

Rest Easy

Let’s face it; you’re not going to get as much sleep for the first few months after your baby is born as you’d like to. So, with this in mind, rest as much as you can. Try to get into bed earlier than you used to and wind down an hour before you try to fall asleep. Take it easy as often as you can, and appreciate that it’s all quiet for now, but it won’t be for long. Rest up, put your feet up, and enjoy having time to yourself. Be careful not to overexert yourself, and avoid any activity that’s too strenuous. If you don’t feel like taking the trash out, then ask your partner or a friend. You’re pregnant; you can let a few things slide!

Life can be stressful enough when things get financially tough, but when you have kids, especially of the younger variety, that stress can get a whole lot worse. What’s more, the usual home entertainment never seems to cut it when it matters most. While same day lending is available in the case of a financial emergency, keeping the kids entertained when you’re short on money is an art that parents are eager to learn. Here, we’ve pulled together a list of five free things to do with your kids that they will actually enjoy.

• Make The Most Of Your Garden

If you have a garden, front or back, then make the absolute best of it that you possibly can. Whether it’s breaking out the gardening equipment and teaching the little ones the art of perfect planting, or you set up the sprinklers during the hotter days and watch them jump around while you eagerly sip a cold drink, you can ‘spruce up’ your garden easily. If all else fails, set up a picnic in the garden for a fun way to enjoy your lunch! The fresh air will be good for them, and you get to spend some time together as a family.

• Conduct A Science Experiment

Science is cool, right? Whether you actually agree with that statement or not, your kids will – at least, they will when you break out the science experiments. Mentos and Coke is a classic. Any kid will love to watch as the coke fizzes up and spurts everywhere! For something a little cleaner, you could build parachutes for toys from paper or plastic bags to see which float and which don’t. There are plenty of experiments you can find online with things you’ll have right there at home, and your kids will love watching the reactions!

• Cook Something

There’s nothing better than mixing up a cake, eating half the batter, then cooking the rest and getting to eat all of that too – and don’t even get us started on the icing. If you have kids who love being in the kitchen with you, why not get them involved? Whether you opt for something simple like cakes or biscuits, or you get them to help with dinner, there’s plenty you can do to teach them about nutrition too. Why not get them to make up their own pizzas, or have more choice over what goes in their burger?

• Take Them To An Animal Shelter

If your children are fans of animals but you can’t afford a pet of your own, you could visit your local animal shelter! Most animal shelters are always happy to accommodate anyone wanting to look around and play with the animals for a while, but always check before you go! You’ll need nerves of steel, though – just think about all of those literal puppy eyes looking in your direction, including your kids.

• Set Up A Movie Night

As fun as a trip to the cinema can be, it can also be expensive. While the tickets might start off cheap, the transport, snacks and more can add up quickly and turn into quite the expensive trip out. Instead, why not set up a movie night at home? You can set up pillows, blankets, snacks and drinks and put on some of your kid’s favourite movies to keep them occupied for a while. It’s valuable family time and valuable quiet time!

Keeping your kids entertained doesn’t have to be as much of a struggle as it may initially seem. Finding something they actually enjoy is a battle worth fighting, and hopefully our list has given you a good place to start.

You might have extensive experience in trading the stock market but this doesn’t mean you will become a successful currency trader. Forex trading is completely different from our traditional stock trading. In fact, the foreign exchange market is so big that no one can manipulate the price feed not even for a second. The transparent nature of the retail trading industry has revolutionized the investment investor. Professional brokers like ETX Capital is now offering high leverage trading accounts so that they retail traders can easily trade and secure their financial freedom with a small amount of money. But leverage trading is extremely risky and it dramatically increases the risk factors. There are many reasons for which you should go for the professional trading course. Many rookie traders in the United Kingdom are now leading their dream life based on Forex trading. They are successful because they took the right training prior to live trading the market.

The clear concept of the market structure

Understanding new terminologies and facts are really hard for the novice traders. In fact, the majority of the traders make mistake and they don’t have any solid foundation in the Forex market. Without having a strong base it’s really hard to deal with the highly volatile market. When you go for paid trading education, the expert traders will give you precise guideline how to trade this market. They will give you a clear explanation which will make difficult terms like market liquidity, margin calls etc. very easy for you. Investing money in education is the best thing that you can do as a new trader.

Fundamental factors of the market

Those who are self-taught in Forex market tends to ignore the fundamental factors of the market. But those who take professional Forex training from expert traders are very good at fundamental analysis. Fundamental analysis is the most active catalyst which can drive the price of the financial instrument within a fraction of a second. For instance, consider the Brexit event. The GBPUSD pair dropped more than 3000 pips due to this event and the technical traders blew their trading account without knowing the key cause. On the contrary, those who have strong knowledge of the fundamental factors made a decent profit even during such catastrophic market crash.

Helps you to create your plan

Every successful trader has solid plan to trade this market. They never use any human emotions to execute orders. They know very well this market flows with its own rhythm and keeping pace with the changes in the market is the hardest thing in the investment world. So you have to develop a solid plan which will help you to execute orders in any market conditions. You might be thinking how you can develop a solid plan but this is really very easy. The expert traders will guide you to use the demo trading account in an organized way. Demo trading accounts are very similar to your real accounts. Here you can trade as long as you want and you don’t have to risk any real money to learn currency trading.

Identify your mistake

Finding your mistakes in Forex market can be extremely hard. Those who are completely new don’t even know why they are losing money. On the contrary, the experienced professionals can easily spot your trading mistake by seeing at your history. So when you take some professional trading course, you are also getting a classic mentor who will help you to identify your mistake. Stop trading the market with your gut feelings. See how the professional execute trades and make a consistent profit. Things might seem a little bit hard but if you focus on the basic elements, you will find it really easy. Being a currency trader you should have a financial backup for at least six months. If you trade this market under mental pressure it will be really hard for you to pull the trigger at the right time.