How To Calculate Your Due Date And How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are

April 16, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

In ancient Egypt, the Egyptians used a woman’s urine to establish if she was pregnant or not. They would urinate on certain grains and if the grains germinated, the woman knew she was pregnant. Imagine having to wait a few days for the result. Fortunately for us, times have changed, now we simply pee on a plastic stick and we have the results in a matter of minutes.

When you do find out that you’re pregnant, one of the greatest joys is knowing exactly when to expect your baby’s appearance into the world. This gives you a sense of control so that you can plan everything in advance and prepare yourself for your little one’s arrival.

Continue reading to find out how to calculate your due date so you can be prepared for your little one’s grand entrance into the world.

Using Dates

Most women are not 100% sure when they ovulated or when conception took place. To help in ascertaining the due date, science has made it quite easy. Your due date or EDD, Estimated Date of Delivery, is calculated by adding 280 days or 40 weeks to the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. This might seem a bit odd because you were not pregnant on the first day of your period, but this helps the medical field to calculate your due date as precisely as they can. You can, therefore, take the date of your last period and use a diary and start adding 280 days to find your due date.

Ultrasound

Another way to calculate your EDD and therefore how many weeks pregnant you are is by asking your doctor to do an ultrasound. This is done in the first trimester, and the earlier the better. This is because the measurements provided in the first trimester are the most accurate estimation of your baby’s age because all fetuses tend to develop at the same rate.

The doctor will measure the baby from one end to the other, also known as the crown-rump length (CRL). Due to decades of research on many embryos and their crown-rump length measurements, the doctor will be able to give you a precise due date. Determining the EDD is generally not done this way in the second and third trimester because babies development rates are different in these gestation periods.

Due Date Calculator

But what if you can’t get to your doctor just yet and you really want to know your due date and how many weeks pregnant you are? Then, the due date calculator is the easiest way to calculate your due date. There are loads of apps and websites that you can use. All you have to do is enter the first day of your last period date and it automatically calculates your due date.

These handy tools use Naegele’s rule. This rule states that if you add one year from the date of your last menstrual period and subtract 3 months and add 7 days to that date, it will give an accurate due date. But instead of you having to figure it out, it does it for you automatically.

Accuracy

Very few babies are born on their projected due dates. They either make their appearance a few weeks before or a few weeks after the EDD. There are some other factors which may influence your due date, for example, if progesterone levels climbed more slowly in the first weeks of gestation, the baby can take longer to come. Also, the longer the embryo took to implant, the longer the gestation period.

Basically, the baby’s development rate causes late or early birth. In other words, the baby will come when he/she is good and ready. Think of it this way. Parenthood is a great way to work on the patience aspect of our personalities. Baby is just giving you a sneak peek of what’s coming.

It’s All Good

Whether your baby is early or late, try not to fixate on that date. Rather start daydreaming of the birthday parties, hugs, and kisses that you will share with your baby. And enjoy your pregnancy. It really is a miracle from heaven. You were chosen to be this baby’s mother and you are going to be a great one!

Looking Good – 5 Tips to Look and Feel Great in 2019

April 16, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Sometimes, you can get to a point in your life when you’re tired of the “same old” you. You don’t feel all that good about who you are, lack confidence, and you’re merely going through the motions of what feels like a drab and lackluster existence. Life is for living to the fullest, not for stagnating. If you want to start being at your best so you can feel better and have more confidence, then consider these five tips below.

Source: Mark_Mook_Fotografie/Pixabay

Look at Cosmetic Dentistry

Did you know that much of your confidence comes from your smile? If your teeth are yellowing or stained, then you are going to be more likely to remain tight-lipped. One way to feel far better about yourself is by taking care of that problem with teeth whitening. Within a few hours of sitting in a dentist’s chair, you can be grinning from ear to ear with confidence.

Get Fit

More than 35 percent of US citizens are obese, which means around that many are not getting enough exercise. If it has been a long time since you pounded the pavement, don’t you think it might be time to start? Choosing to get fit and healthy can be a monumental decision and one that helps you to feel better about yourself and look better too. What’s more, it’s something you can do with friends, expanding your social horizons. If motivation is a barrier, get yourself an exercise buddy, or hire a personal trainer to help keep you focused and accountable.

Passion for Nutrition

The average woman will work almost eight hours a day, with the average man around eight and a half. By the time you come home, do your chores, feed the pets, and help the kids with their homework, you’re slapping dinner together at the last minute – be it nutritional or not. Draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough.

If you want to feel and look good, you need to be more conscious of what you are putting in your mouth. Get that old cookware out of mothballs and start whipping up more fresh meals, rather than relying on processed food. A new diet coupled with exercise can transform both body and soul.

A New Wardrobe

When was the last time you went shopping and bought yourself a full new outfit? If you can’t remember, then it was too long ago. However, when you hit the mall, don’t stick with the same old garments you always buy. Become a new, confident version of you. Draw upon the experience of shop assistants so you can walk out with an outfit that enhances your figure and suits your personality.

New Year, New Hair

Whether you’re a man or a woman, there’s something cleansing and exciting about changing your hairstyle. However, men will only do it around four times in their peak adulthood, with women more likely to do it every 18 months. If you’re tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the same face and style, then take a trip to your local salon. Try something new, exciting, or even drastic that will see you looking and feeling great in the new year.

Not everyone is comfortable or confident with the skin they’re in. However, it can be hard to make a change. When you’re stuck in a rut, or you’re used to doing things a certain way, you can forget that another way exists. Make 2019 your year.

Look at cosmetic dentistry to grin with confidence, change up your hairstyle, invest in a new wardrobe, and get fit and healthy. You’ll then glide into 2020 looking every fit as fabulous as you feel.

An Overview Of Formula Milk And How It Can Benefit Your Family

February 19, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

It is an exciting time to be a new parent – exciting but also harrowing when it comes to deciding the best way to do just about everything. With regards to feeding your child and ensuring their growth and development, it can be difficult to get the best information. There are many conflicting opinions over concepts such as formula milk and it can be difficult to know what to do!

Naturally, there are a variety of opinions on this matter but it is always best to know the facts of the matter. Some people swear by the ‘breast is best’ rule when it comes to feeding their child but formula milk should not be overlooked as it has a lot of benefits to offer.

Let’s take a closer look at formula milk and how it can be of benefit for your family.

Formula Milk Helps Progressive Parenting

If you are looking to establish a more equal parenting regime in your household, formula feeding your child can help to ensure that no one parent is the primary caregiver. In our contemporary society, formula milk can provide a great option for progressive parents who want to ensure that each parent has equal responsibilities with the newborn. In the long run, this can also lead to more balanced family dynamics when your child is older.

Formula Milk Is Convenient For New Mothers

While it can sometimes be looked down upon by your breastfeeding friends, pay this no mind. Formula feeding can provide a higher degree of convenience and freedom for new mothers. After giving birth, new mothers should be able to take advantage of alternating breastfeeding with formula feeding to give themselves a break. It can be easier for both your bodily health but also on your mental health. You can also eat and drink whatever you would like, as it will not affect the newborn.

For working mothers, formula feeding can also provide a number of real benefits. While it is completely natural, contemporary breastfeeding usually requires mothers to carry a lot of equipment with them. By formula feeding, you can cut down on this hassle and settle into the convenience of simply using a bottle.

Formula milk also has the fantastic advantage of being easily quantifiable; that is, you can measure the amount of nutrition that your newborn is getting. On the other hand, breastfeeding can create some ambiguity in knowing if your baby is being adequately fed or not.

Formula Milk Makes For A Healthy Family

Thankfully, formula milk offers a nutritious alternative to natural milk. Better yet, it often contains vitamins and minerals that are absent from breastmilk. Substances such as vitamin D and the fatty acid DHA are essential for the healthy development of your child. Both are commonly found in formula milk.

It is important to read the labels on any formula products that your baby will be consuming to ensure that they are getting what they need. This can even promote a healthier environment for the rest of your family with regard to nutrition awareness. If you want to ensure that your whole family – especially your newborn – is healthy, then certainly consider formula milk as a viable option.

The Benefits Of Formula Milk Are Many

Choosing to use formula milk instead of breastfeeding carries with it a number of real benefits – for you, your newborn, and your family. While it is not always an easy choice to make, in light of polarizing cultural and even political views, no one should be shamed for choosing formula. Whatever you decide to do with your newborn, make sure that your entire household is on track to be healthy and happy.

Koh Samui Food Guide: What & Where to Eat in Koh Samui

November 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Located to the east coast of Thailand is one of the country’s largest islands – Koh Samui. Apart from being a fishing municipality, the area is a tourist destination known for its incredible cuisine. It’s also known as one of best beach brunches in Southeast Asia. Koh Samui is filled with restaurants that serve both local and international foods at affordable prices. There are also luxurious restaurants that serve those people interested in spending more. In addition, some eating establishments have in house entertainment for those people that cannot eat without some music.

Ideas about Where and What to Eat in Koh Samui

Breakfast

For breakfast, one should go to the Bophut beach area where there are several restaurants that serve both vegan and non-vegan diets. While there, one can also try the local breakfast which includes pad Thai, some green curries, and sticky rice. It can be quite a treat if one is not used to eating heavy meals for breakfast. Traditional English breakfast made up of eggs, sausage, tea, juice, and some bread is also available in some restaurants. For those that must have a fully vegan breakfast, they can go to the Chaweng or Lamai beach area where restaurants serve vegan breakfast buffets.

Brunch

Brunch in Koh Samui is a big deal, and many restaurants compete for customers. Sunday brunch at Sunday Sessions, Beach Republic is a popular place for this kind of meal. Beach republic offers a variety of brunch options for the diners; from waffles to indigenous Thailand fruits to lobsters and other types of fish. There is also a grill section for those that love barbecue. And to top it all off, there are a variety of drinks offered during and after meals.

Lunch

Being an island, it comes as no surprise that most of the restaurants in Koh Samui serve seafood. The restaurants serve some amazing lobsters, crabs, prawns, clams, and other types of fish. With most eateries located next to the beach, those who visit these restaurants have wonderful views of the ocean. Another place with amazing food and a magnificent view is Chaweng beach. This restaurants found in this area allow visitors to marvel at the captivating hill ranges overlooking the area as they have their meals. For those on a budget, they can try Koh Samui’s street food, which often includes fried chicken, corn on a cob, banana pancakes, and crunchy insects.

Dinner

For dinner, Chaweng beach is still the preferred destination because of the numerous restaurants that are lined up along the shores. The setting makes for a romantic candle lit dinner by the beach as one stares at the stars and the moon. Most eating joints also have live band performances to create the mood for the evening. Interestingly, despite being a fishing town, there are some restaurants that actually serve pasta and pizza. One can also eat burgers and fries if they are not for the local delicacies. However, even if one has their doubts about local food, they should try the famous Tom Yum or Pad Thai which have a unique taste due to the various indigenous spices and herbs used to make them. A quick word of advice, if someone wishes to try out the European cuisines, they have to book days in advance because the space in those restaurants is limited.

Nightlife

After a satisfying dinner, one can visit a number of beach clubs around Chaweng and Bophut beach area. The drinks are not expensive, and the music is good with most clubs playing popular western songs. Some entertainment spots hire international djs from Europe to make the party experience memorable for visitors. The bars also serve a number of cocktails for those eager to try out new drinks. The streets are well lit at night so that revelers can easily move from one club to another. Interestingly, most joints have an ‘open plan’ layout that makes the place seem bigger than it actually is.

Eating out in Koh Samui can be fun if one knows the right places. This article contains a list of worthy places to eat in Koh Samui. For the first time traveler, they will be amazed at how simple foods like coconut can be used to make a really tasty meal. For the return traveler, the food always tastes the same if not better.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Rid of Junk Cars for Cash

November 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

There comes a time in every car’s life when you’ll feel compelled to make a decision on what to do with it. Perhaps your vehicle is a fairly new one that’s suffered such damage in a collision that it’s a total write off. It could be an ancient relic that’s been gathering rust in a forgotten corner of your backyard. Either way it couldn’t be easier to get rid of junk car for cash. The guidelines below are showing you what to do and not to do when thinking about selling your broken car.

What to Do?

1. DO Research the Potential Value of your Junk Car

You can find out the prices of vehicles in a similar condition by looking through websites on the internet. Better still ask a properly qualified mechanic to make a detailed assessment.

2. DO Let Others Repair it

There are many enthusiasts who enjoy spending their leisure time restoring broken vehicles. It is a way of obtaining an expensive car at a bargain price. Some buyers are particularly interested in long forgotten vintage models that have been hidden away in farm buildings and garages. If you have any doubts about the value of an old car or truck it’s worth asking the opinion of an expert from a vintage automobile club.

3. DO Seek Good Services

A reliable auto wrecker who will be only too pleased to buy your junk old cars for cash. Potential buyers of spare parts rely on them for their extensive knowledge and can be confident that any components are of a good condition.

4. DO Research

Find out the condition of your old car before approaching a dealer. If you are aware of the damage to expensive parts such as the engine your bargaining power will be so much the greater. It’s also beneficial to obtain more than one quote.

5. DO Ask for Help with Advertising

A professional mechanic will provide you with detailed analysis of the car’s damage enabling you to be totally honest with potential buyers.

6. DO Look for Free Old Car Removal

You will be confident that the cash payment they offer is a true reflection of the car’s value as scrap metal.

7. DO Sell to a Trustworthy Car Wrecker

You will have the benefit of professional services that are fast and efficient.

What Not to Do?

1. DON’T Pay for Old Car Removal

It will reduce the price of the initial cash offer. Not all companies charge for this service.

2. DON’T Act in Haste

When you want to get rid of your old junk car don’t just give it away for nothing. Every broken car has a value even if it’s only as scrap metal. Remember it isn’t a case of if you get any money but how much.

3. DON’T Forget Repairs

Depending on the extent of the damage you might find it only needs a relatively small investment to make it road worthy again. Then you can use it yourself or make extra money selling it in a more marketable condition.

4. DON’T Dismantle

Selling individual components unless you have a thorough understanding of spare parts. You’ll find it difficult to give detailed descriptions and could miss out on earning extra cash if your buyer knows more than you.

5. DON’T Presume it Can’t be Traded-in

Dealers will always take a broken car as part of a trade-in on a vehicle you’ve chosen as a replacement. They will offset the reduction they offer by the sale of your old junk car as scrap or for recycling spare parts.

6. DON’T Tell Lies

Never overlook your broken car’s failings if you decide to sell it privately. Even if you incorrectly market it through inexperience or lack of knowledge you can still find yourself being prosecuted for false advertising. One thing you can be sure of is that any faults will become apparent sooner rather than later.

7. DON’T Sell To Just Anyone

Sell your broken car to a scrap dealer without checking on their reputation, the services they offer and how they dispose of your junk car.

Choosing a responsible car wrecker will ensure that your broken car is disposed of in a way that will be ecologically sound. Undamaged components will be recycled as spare parts and the scrap metal will be processed for the manufacture of other products. Hazardous substances such as battery acid and waste oil will be disposed of through eco-friendly methods. Check out these extra tips of where to sell your broken car and when you know it’s time to get rid of junk car for cash, by using a reputable car wrecking company you’ll not only earn yourself extra money but you’ll also be protecting the environment.

Sleep Soundly – How to Beat Insomnia

October 16, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes suffers to experience trouble when falling asleep, or staying asleep. According to the Sleep Health Foundation, one in three people suffer from this disorder in some degree. More commonly, insomnia is seen in elderly people, and is twice as likely to affect women than men. This may be due to increased rates of anxiety and depression in women, which can be associated with insomnia. Though the disorder affects sleep, the effects last throughout the day with suffers often unable to focus on tasks. It is important to recognise insomnia, and work towards overcoming it. Here are three things that may assist with your sleep, and lead you to having a better night’s rest.

Get Comfortable.

The first and perhaps most important aspect of sleep is the environment around you. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, the bedroom environment can have significant effects on sleep quality and quantity. Assess your sleeping situation, and consider if it can be improved. Light has a large impact on sleep, so ensure that the room is sufficiently dark during times of rest. Temperature is also a huge factor, with the optimum level unique to each person.

Finally, your mattress and pillows will ultimately determine the position in which you sleep. Ensure that your pillows are supportive, and your mattress free of any lumps. You may have to purchase some upgrades, perhaps splurging on a memory foam mattress or some expensive pillows; since we spend one third of our lives asleep, it is a worthwhile purchase!

Stay Active.

While this point may scare some people away, it is no secret that staying active can significantly improve your ability to fall asleep at night. This has been scientifically proven, with many contributing factors discovered, including lowering of stress levels and regulation of body temperature. Taking care to participate in regular exercise, therefore, is a way to assist with any sleeping issues you may have. This exercise does not have to be in a sweaty gym, or running 10km a day (although if this is your thing, enjoy!), and can simply consist of a morning or afternoon walk.

Dancing, swimming or even rollerskating are all other options to consider, so don’t be afraid to get creative with staying active. Participating in a sport is a great way to stay consistent in your exercise routine. The Department of Health and Human Services has some great information about this, so check out their website if you’re interested.

Have a Routine.

This may not be possible for everyone, especially those who do shift work, but having a sleeping schedule can help program your body to know when it’s time to sleep. For one week, try going to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every morning. See how you feel, and if it has made an improvement then incorporate a sleep schedule into your everyday life. If you do not see any changes, consider adopting one of the other tips mentioned, or see a healthcare professional.

There we have it, three ways to get a better nights sleep! Try them all, or pick one or two and assess your progress. Remember, if you have suffered from insomnia and these tips have not shown any improvement, consult your doctor. Your sleep is very important, and any struggles should be recognised and addressed. Good Luck.

Keep Your Homework Organized with These 3 Fun Tools!

October 16, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

This is the time of year when the back to school frenzy starts to subside. Students and teachers alike are starting to ease into their school year routine. A daily dose of homework is the norm for many students when the school year is in full effect. It may come in the form of quick reading and math sheets for the little ones just starting out in elementary school.

But for everyone else, homework can be packed full of lessons and note taking. If this is the case for you or your student, make sure you’ve got the best tools to keep yourself or your children in maximum organization mode – and have a blast doing it too.

Here are three must-have tools from OOLY that will keep your homework on track and packed full of color that will stimulate the mind and keep the learning process fun!

Multi-Colored Gel Pens

One of the most creative ways to help words pop off a page is by using gel pens. If you’re spending considerable time outlining a chapter or organizing research for an essay, multicolored pens can help you organize your facts and your thoughts.

Use a different color for each category like dates, points you want to make, important people or periods to remember, etc.

OOLY has plenty of color packed gel pen sets to choose from. Gel pens glide on with smooth, rich strokes to leave your page in a rainbow of organization. Try the 6 Click Neon Multi-Color Gel Pen for bright eye-catching hues. Check out Mighty Mini Gel Pens for your notetaking needs in a neat, compact design. Or choose Petite Point Fine Tip Gel Pens for a nice variety of color in 12 elegant choices.

Highlighters

Whether you’re reviewing your notes or finding the important points of a reading assignment or research notes, highlighters always come in handy for helping you find the points worth remembering. The typical yellow highlighter seems to be the go-to choice for many dutiful students. But why not change it up a bit, and go for a fun highlighter option that will make your homework a wee bit more entertaining?

Take a look at OOLY’s Fresh Pick Scented Neon Gel Crayon Highlighters for a fun, friendly scented choice. These highlighters come in five fanciful colors that will keep your mind and your nose stimulated! Another option that gets an A+ for versatility is the Do-Overs Erasable Highlighters. Made a mistake? That’s okay! Just erase it and highlight again.

Sticky Notes

The perfect companion to multi-colored gel pens and helpful highlighters are sticky notes. Sticky notes are must-haves to keep you on point and efficient when studying or organizing notes. OOLY has a collection of whimsically entertaining, and totally effective sticky notes to keep you on track and have a little fun doing it.

Consider Note Pals Sticky Tabs for a quirky collection of colorfully cute critters to keep tabs on your pages. Or choose Notes On A Roll Decorative Sticky Tape to keep your homework happening with the happiest of vibes.

Getting Your Home Ready to Move

October 16, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Do you have a move coming up? If so, you’re probably stressing out a little. There is a lot that you need to do, and it can all seem overwhelming. With that in mind, here are the things you need to do to get your home ready for a move. We hope that this list will help organize your chaos a little bit and make moving a little less stressful.

Create a Checklist

The first thing you should do is create a checklist. Take some time to sit down and think of all the things you need to do. Jot them all down, no matter how big or small the item is. As you’re preparing to move, you’ll probably think of more things that you need to do. Just jot them down at the bottom of the list. Once you finish an item, cross it off. Having a moving checklist like this will help to ensure that you don’t forget everything and will make it so you don’t have to keep everything to do in your head.

Find a Mover

A good mover is key to a less stressful move. They will handle the majority of the work, and free you up to do other things. Take some time to search through local movers in your area and compare them against one another. Look at their online reviews, their insurance coverage, and their rates. This should give you a good idea as to which mover to hire and make your moving day much easier.

Get Rid of the Junk

One of the biggest things you’ll have to do before you move is get rid of any junk. Chances are you’ve accumulated some things over the years that you just don’t need any longer. By getting rid of them before you move, it will help you to pack light, and make your moving day a little easier.

Go from room to room and figure out what you no longer need. Then you’ll have to decide what you’re going to do with the items. You could try to sell them online or through a garage sale, donate them to charity (for things like old clothes), or simply throw them away. Consider how much time you have and how much effort you want to put into this. If you’re moving in a week, you likely don’t have time to throw a garage sale or post everything online, so just donate it or throw it away and be done with it.

Gather Enough Packing Supplies

With the junk out of the way you should now have a better idea as to which stuff is going with you. From this you should be able to figure out how much packing supplies you need. You’ll need plenty of boxes to hold all of your things, along with tape to hold them shut. You’ll also need some bubble wrap for your more expensive items, or maybe even some tissue paper.

When getting packing supplies, consider buying in bulk. Chances are you’ll need more than you think, so it’s better to have too much stuff than not enough. You can also go to places like your local grocery store and see if they have any freemoving boxes that you can take.

Pack the Right Way

Now that you have packing supplies, it’s time to start packing up. Don’t just throw anything you find into a box however. You should be more methodical to make the moving process run more smoothly. For instance, group similar items together inside boxes, but don’t overload them. You might have twenty books that you want to bring with you but putting them all into one large box will be almost impossible to move.

When packing you should also label each box with what’s in it and what room it’s going to. This will make it easier for the movers when they are unloading and make your job easier as you’re trying to unpack it all.

Start Cleaning

Finally, once all of your stuff is packed up, give your home a good cleaning. You don’t want to leave it a mess for the next owners, so take some time to sweep, dust, and clean the windows. It won’t take you that long, and the new owners will appreciate it. Don’t go crazy though, as you’ll likely track in some dirt when you’re moving and the home will just become dirty again anyway.

Organization is Key

When moving, the key is to stay organized. Take things one step at a time and the whole process won’t seem so overwhelming. If it helps, print out this guide so that you can remember what you need to do, when you need to do it. Just remember that eventually moving day will be over, and you’ll be all settled into your new home, ready to relax.

Author Bio

Judy Lees is a Content Contribution with darkroomclicks.com who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, branding and networking. He frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing, digital photography & wedding photography.

Strategic Showering – When to Throw a Baby Shower

October 12, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Knowing when to throw a baby shower is important because it sets up the entry of a new child into the world. One that must be celebrated with the friends and family of the soon to be parents. Showing the parents the support they and their child will receive in their new journey.

Start Planning Early

To allow all key people to join in the celebrations you should make sure you give attendees enough time to block out their calendar and attend a baby shop in Melbourne. With that being said it is crucial the event is planned in advance. Traditionally, baby showers are held around four to six weeks ahead of the mother’s due date. Meaning typically the pregnancy is well into the safe zone and also unlikely that the baby will arrive too early. Plus, by this time the mother and father are likely to be well and truly looking forward to giving birth.

Consider Co-Ed

Traditionally, baby showers have been focused around the mother. However, more recently, they’ve become more of a joint affair; known as a co-ed baby shower. For this reason, it is a good idea to speak to the parents and ask what their preferred type of celebration would be. If it is catering for both parents, make sure to incorporate games and questions for both parenting roles and invite an equal mix of attendees.

Get Help

When organising a baby shower it is a good idea to work alongside other individuals which represent different parts of the mother’s or father’s social network. For instance asking a family member, a colleague, a school or university friend to help plan the invitation list is a good start. This way it will allow all facets of the parents’ social network to be involved and prevents any last minute invitations being sent to long lost cousins.

Design Decisions

After the invitations have been sent and you are starting to receive responses, it is the ideal time to start designing the special day. A good starting point is set an agenda as it creates structure and once finalised will give clarity to the event. It will also inform the expectations of both the parents and the attendees. Generally speaking the baby shower should be a mix of stories, games, socialising and snacks and have a clear structure.

A good time of day for a baby shower is on a weekend, in the afternoon, ideally post lunch. This way it will allow people to do any errands before the shower and be totally present when at the shower. Planning the event duration to be a couple of of hours is near the right amount of time. It gives people a set amount of time and a structure to the shower, and provides people with an expected end time in case they have family commitments. Although if attendees wish to stay later then they can.

Baby Shower Structure

A good structure to the shower consists of an ice breaker at the start, some nibbles and drinks followed by an easy introductory game. ‘Pick the baby photo’ is an example of a good starter game. It can be a bit time consuming initially, what with asking people to supply baby photos and arranging them on a canvas. However, once the preparation is complete – it is well worth the effort, particularly when everyone is laughing and getting along swimmingly. This game is a great ice breaker because it doesn’t directly focus on individual attendees, and is a more collective approach and a subtle way to enquire and get to know one another. This is particularly good for groups of people who don’t knows one another.

Once the initial ice breaker is out the way, it is a good time to focus back on the new parents. A fun game for mother’s that aren’t body or weight conscious is ‘measure the mum’, where attendees guess the size of the mother’s stomach. This provides a bit of light hearted fun but also creates some real surprises around the growth of a child and opens up conversations around how the expectant mother is feeling and can gear up questions around the birth. This type of conversation will be important for first time parents, especially if there are friends and family members in attendance who have already experienced childbirth.

Remember that although a baby shower should be fun, it should also be informative and supportive. It is the perfect opportunity to show the expectant parents how supported they and their new child will be.

Top Six Tips for a Hassle-Free Home-Shifting!

October 12, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Relocating or shifting houses isn’t that easy a task to accomplish. It requires lots of efforts and organizational skills to shift homes, and take the household stuff from one place to another. House moving, especially in big cities, is a quite dreary undertaking. One needs to be extremely cautious, regarding the movement of household items without damaging or losing any of it. Depending on a hired mode of transport or doing it yourselves, may come to your mind. But, the time taken, the accuracy and the professionalism should be considered in such crucial situations.

That’s where an experienced and professional moving company in Fairfax va comes into the picture. Choosing the best packers-movers company is of utmost importance, as they are the ones solely responsible for the well-being of your possessions — namely, your large appliances, furniture, gadgets etc., are some of them. So, to avoid bearing the cost of breaking or damaging any item mid the moving process, do make sure to hire an efficient Fairfax based moving company. Blake & Sons Moving & Storage, Inc. is one such moving services firm, whom you can trust. They offer you solutions for all your moving and storage needs. But along with choosing the correct services for the moving process, you need to follow some tips and tricks that will make the moving process even easier.

Follow these tips for a smooth and easy home-relocating process:

So, along with choosing one of the best residential movers in Fairfax, you still need to keep some things in mind for a smooth moving process. Some rules if followed will reduce your workload by half the amount instantly. Get your organizational skills up to date, and with this checklist in hand, you are bound to become a moving superstar.

Put a Tag: Packing and unpacking of boxes is one of the most tiresome and frustrating work that one can engage in. To make this job a tad bit more tolerable, we advise you to put name tags on the boxes. These tags will let you know what exactly is in the box. This will save you a lot of time, which is otherwise spent in futile searches for a particular item.
Fragile-Cautious: As obvious as it can get, you should definitely be more cautious regarding the fragile items. You should make sure to take special care (and use bubble wrap) to pack expensive and prone-to-breaking items like mugs, saucers, paintings, show pieces, glass etc.
Avoid Unnecessary Baggage: When you are going about the packing process, you should separate out all the unnecessary and unwanted items. Put them in a separate box or bag, that you can dispose of, or sell it; and hence, avoid taking junk to your new house. Also, you can dump extra things inside a storage cot/pod while moving.
Furniture Care: In case of furniture that comes with a disassembling option, make sure to utilize it to the fullest. Disassemble them, pack them separately, using newspapers, or shopping bags or covers and it will be a much more convenient process.
Fridge Pointers: Your refrigerator definitely needs some care during moving. Along with informing whichever Fairfax residential moving company you choose, you should also take care of a few things. Before the moving takes place, empty the refrigerator of all items and make sure to keep t properly locked during the moving.
Carry Valuable Items: This is yet another crucial factor to keep in mind. Do not mix valuable items like gold, silver jewellery, documents, cash, among other things that need to be moved. Ensure to carry these with you.

So, these were some of the most useful tips and tricks that will come to your use, when you are moving houses. Follow each one of them, add some more to your liking, hire well known moving services and it will all be a piece of cake. Sounds too easy? Well, do it to believe it.