Category: Family

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Children Family

5 Helpful Gifts for New Parents

5 Helpful Gifts for New Parents

First few weeks of parenting are always challenging. Mostly, new parents do their best to adjust to the new norms of their life and household. We can suggest top 5 helpful gifts for new parents, you may choose one from.

1. A Smart Vacuum

A smart vacuum-like Goovi robotic vacuum cleaner is a gift that new parents will love to get.

It’s a remote-controlled vacuum cleaner and can clean your house while you are feeding or bathingthe baby. The vaacuun saves a lot of time and physical exertion you may otherwise put in. It’s a self-discharging cleaner. 

2. Baby Rocker

Baby rockers come in multiple styles, patterns, materials, and a lot of colorful accessories to keep the baby engaged. They will help parents in busy hours during which they can put the baby in, and work around freely. They can shift it to other places in the house to monitor the baby and continue with daily chores.

Baby rockers come in wood, which is padded with foam and cotton to make it more comfortable for thebaby.

3. Baby Carrier

Baby carrier gives the new parents time and room to roam around, carrying the baby in it. This will make the not to worry about leaving the baby with babysitters.

Baby carriers are now coming with stylish loops and wrapping stripes. These carriers come from durable fabric with cotton padding for the baby’s comfort. You can wear it around your shoulders across the chest and carry your baby either in front or at the back.

4. A dinner solution

New parents mostly rely on outside fast food. 

Your cooker gift will make their life easy for making home-cooked food in a more convenient manner. The Crock-Pot Slow cooker holds good for time-bound or sleep-deprived parents. It comes with a recipe book for making cooking more efficient and quick.

It can serve 8 quarts, and weight only 7 kg.

5. A caffeine boost

A portable Wacaco Minipresso Machine. During early parenting days, sleep is of prime concern and couples become short on sleep. This gift will put them in a comfort zone where they can get their coffee instantly. This machine will get you fresh espresso in a minute you just add boiling water to get the coffee. 

Conclusion

Any parent will find these top 5 gifts a great help in reducing their stress. They are exceptional gifts with a mix of comfort for both the baby and the parents.

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Children Family

4 Things I Learned From My First Year as a Mom

6 Things I Learned From My First Year as a Mom

Every mom will surely agree that the first year of parenthood is a roller-coaster ride of highs and lows. From taking your precious child for the first time in your arms to enduring nights of feeding, diaper changes and whatnot, there’s a world of education that unveils in the first year as a mom.

Here are four things that I learnt in the first year as a mom.

1.    Listen to Other Mom’s Experience

We tend to brush off advices as clichés but sometimes, it is good to pay heed to them, especially if you’re a first mom. You never know when an experienced mom’s advice may come to your aid, especially in terms of your baby’s diet, the process of teething, and a thousand things in between.

Also, while you may feel flustered and frustrated at all times, but when someone tells you to enjoy each moment of it, pay attention. Before you know it, your baby is all grown up and if you’ve spent their special moments complaining about having too much to do, you’ve missed their important developmental stage.

2.    Speak up

As a first mom, I always thought I had to pretend to be happy at all times because really, what can be a bigger joy than becoming a mom? While that is certainly true, it is also a proven fact that feeling overwhelmed in early motherhood is natural and normal.

If you feel cranky, angered, are having mood swings or just need everyone to give you space as a new mom, do not hesitate from speaking up. It will prevent a massive break down or emotional explosion from occurring later.

3.    Use your Discretion

Yes, I know I told you to pay attention to clichés. This may mean listening to tales of every mother in your circle and it’s good to do that. But when it comes to nurturing your child, you must use your discretion and not rely solely on the experience of others, even if it’s your own mom or mom-in-law.

Every child is born unique and a mother understands their needs best. Hence, if a certain advice is not working well for your child, adapt things to what works for the two of you.

Take pieces of advice that will serve you from the stories other moms share, but what is not helpful you can happily trash out.

4.    As a New Mom, Ask For Help or Take it if Offered

As moms, I know we all believe we have to be super humans and we have to do EVERYTHING. But you can be taking out the garbage on time, keeping hot meals ready at the table for the family, remembering schedules, decoding cries and figuring why the rash is happening, all on your own.

If your partner or other family members are willing to help or you think will gladly pitch in, ask for it. It doesn’t matter if things are not done how you want them for a while; remember, once you are past through the difficult early motherhood days, you can resume your duties completely.

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Children Family Financial Savings

Mother’s Day Gifts You Can Save Big On

10 Mother’s Day Gift You Can Save Big On

Some of us tend to leave things typically at the last minute even though we all highly prize the day we can celebrate the woman who gave us life. But year after year, we do find ourselves stuck for gift ideas that won’t break the bank a few days before the big day. In this article, we’ll share the top ten Mother’s day gift ideas that will help you save big time.

1. Snack Box

No matter how health conscious mothers are, even they like to indulge in occasional treats. But why not give her something that honors her health consciousness but still feels like a treat? A snack box of healthy snacking items sounds great to us.

You could stuff in all-natural and non-GMO goodies for her.

2. Shower Steamers

After all the hard work she puts in daily, surely she deserves a shower that feels like a calming oasis. You can gift your mom a set of shower steamers that emit a variety of scents from essential oils. Lavender and eucalyptus always tend to please moms.

3. Caviar Package

Every mom is undeniably elegant, charming and classy and surely yours is too. A caviar package sounds just like the sustainable and luxurious gift she would enjoy.

4. Plantable Greeting Card

The written note from you will warm her heart while the seed paper on the front that she can tear and plant in her garden will delight her soul. Imagine her joy when herbs and wildflowers grow out of those seeds.

5. Beauty Tools

Every woman deserves indulgence and the best way to give her that is by gifting her a beauty tool. Some great ideas include a face massage roller, rose mist sprays and eye masks etc.

6. Neck-back Massager Pillow

Such a gift will soothe away the tension she feels every night in back, neck and feet. The portable massager will take her tiredness away each day and that sounds like an ideal gift for her.

7. Supplements

We’ve surely transformed into a health conscious society now and moms are in the lead. Supplement companies have come up with effective nutrients and you could find a package for her that boosts her health every day.

8. Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelet

This bracelet comes with a reusable refill pad in which she can drop her favorite essential oil. The bracelet will then keep relaxing her, reenergizing her etc. as she goes about her day.

9. Eyeshadow Palette

 Eyeshadow palettes are getting all the attention now that mask-wearing is mandatory. You can gift your mom a rich eye colors palette from her favorite brand. Cosmetics never fail to please a woman, regardless of her age.

10. Preserved Rose

This gift option is a step up to the fresh flowers that wither and die in a few days. A preserved rose comes in a fancy box in multi colors and can last up to five years in its stunning flower-shaped case.

Final thoughts

Short of time and budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the uniqueness and thoughtfulness of the gift you give your mom this Mother’s day. Our list of ideas will help you grab something she will absolutely love if you remember buying it at the last minute.

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Children Family

Top Mother’s Day Gifts For Your Perfect Mom

Top Mother's Day Gifts For Your Mom

Mothers are the precious gifts of God, and there is no time better than Mother’s day to express your love and appreciation you hold for her. But when the time comes, you may find it overwhelming to find a perfect gift for your mother that truly reflects your feelings and gratitude for her efforts and love. No gift is one-size-fits-all.

Moms have their own choices and favorites. Some like to feel pampered, while others like to spend more time taking care of their home and family, like cooking different cuisines and stitching.

There is an endless array of choices when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts. This can make it challenging to choose the ideal gift for your mom. Keep your mother’s likeness and hobbies in mind while you are selecting a gift for her. This makes it easier for you to pick the right gift.

Here is a list of top Mother’s Day gifts that can help you arrive at some decision and surprise your mother with something she loves to have.

For Mom’s Having Green Thumb

If your mom loves to spend time with her greens in the yard, a wide-brimmed hat with sunscreen will make a great gift choice. It will help to protect her skin from UV sun rays. Besides, she will look super cute wearing that hat.

Mom’s Who Love Indulging in Self-Care

What can be a better gift for the mom who loves to take care of her skin and looks for a complete skincare package? You can choose from her favorite skincare products and have them packed in a beautiful gift basket to make her feel special. Or otherwise, you can give her a gift voucher to spend a day at her favorite spa for extra pampering.

For Mother’s Who Love Scents

Enchanting floral or seductive romantic scents, nothing impresses her other than Eau De Perfume with aromatic notes if your mother loves perfumes. Choose the perfume according to her taste and liking that make her day. You can go for various exotic aromas packed into eye-catching gift boxes or bundle to give it a unique and personalized touch.

For Mother’s Who Like Cooking for the Entire Neighborhood

If your mom is a generous home cook type, who is fond of making meals for the whole family and always tries new recipes, gift her new utensils or a recipe book. She’ll definitely appreciate your gesture and will continue making and serving more delicious meals.

For Moms Who Love to Read

Check out the latest selection of books by your mom’s favorite author or the genre she loves to read. That’ll make a great gift for Mother’s Day. You can order the books online or visit your nearest bookstore to explore the selection.

For Fashion Enthusiast Moms

Make your mom feel like a queen by gifting the chic fashion outfit that she wanted to have. Or an accessory that complements her outfit and gives her an elegant and fashionable look. You can explore the latest fashion trends and accessories online. Make sure to order them in advance to receive them before Mother’s Day.

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Family Financial Insurance Senior

Medicare Insurance: What to Know About It

medicare insurance guide

As you start to approach retirement, there’s a lot of things you have to plan for, and your health insurance is one of them. Many Americans enroll in Medicare insurance every year, but few understand it well.

It can be overwhelming when you see all of the different coverage options, but you don’t have to struggle through the decision-making process. With this guide to Medicare insurance, you can learn more about eligibility, coverage options, and costs.

Who is Eligible?

In most cases, you become eligible for Medicare upon turning 65. You can sign up as early as three months before your 65th birthday, or you can sign up any time in the four-month period that follows your birthday.

While Medicare is typically reserved for seniors, there are some exceptions. Younger people with disabilities may be deemed eligible for coverage. It is also available for individuals with End State Renal Disease, which is a permanent kidney failure that requires a transplant or dialysis.  

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost for Medicare depends on several factors, including your income. It can also depend on the plans you enroll in:

  • Part A: In some cases, your Part A coverage may be completely free! If you or your spouse have paid Medicare payroll taxes for ten or more years, you shouldn’t have to pay any premiums. Others who didn’t pay the taxes could pay several hundred dollars for their monthly premium.
  • Part B: Your Part B coverage comes at a standard rate. It is currently $144.60 each month, but it is expected to increase by a few dollars in 2021. You can easily look up the standard rate for your coverage at any time.
  • Part C: This all-in-one plan is offered by private companies, so the cost of your monthly premium depends on the plan you choose. You can find a variety of options to fit any budget.
  • Part D: The cost of part D coverage also depends on which plan you choose. The most basic coverage starts at $30 per month, but you should keep in mind that there are additional costs for copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.

What Does it Cover?

Different parts of Medicare offer different coverage options. Part A is more for hospital stays and short-term nursing home stays. Part B is what most people consider a standard health insurance plan. It covers your doctor visits, preventative screenings, flu shots, and more. Part D covers your prescriptions drugs. Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage, and it offers all-in-one coverage.

How to Get Additional Coverage

If you didn’t get a Part C policy, you may find yourself needing to supplement your Part B Insurance with a Medigap plan. These plans are lettered A through N, so there are plenty of different options from which you can choose. We recommend that you speak with an insurance agency to find out which Supplement plans best fit your needs and budget.

Request a Medicare Quote

Whether you are using private or public Medicare insurance, there are many different prices and plans available. The best way to find the policy that best fits your needs is by requesting different Medicare quotes. You can also visit medicare.gov to learn more about Medicare coverage, costs, and supplements.

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Family Legal Senior Social Security Disability

What is OASDI?

what is OASDI?

OASDI stands for Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance. It is the long-form name of the Social Security benefits in the US. It is the fund that is paid into by the withholdings on your paycheck. Those who may be eligible to collect OASDI include the disabled, retirees, and so on. The overall goal of the program is to replace the income lost to old age, losing a spouse who was the earner.

The program was created as the Social Security Act by President Roosevelt in 1935. With the country in the grips of the Great Depression at the time, people were eager for a safety net, and it has grown incredibly over the years. In the decade following the passage of the act, there were approximately 222,000 recipients of benefits, while at the end of 2020 there were roughly 70 million. The average monthly benefit for these recipients is about $1,500.

Criteria For Collecting OASDI

Payments into the OASDI program are collected by payroll taxes FICA and SECA, which are the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, and the Self-Employed Contributions Act. In order to collect payments from the OASDI program, the recipient must meet certain requirements. For the tax year 2021, the tax rate for Social Security collected via FICA is 6.2%, while those who are self-employed will pay a rate of 12.4%, or double.

To begin old-age payments, those born before 1960 can collect as early as 62 years old. For those born after 1960, however, the retirement age s 67. In some cases, people who qualify can wait until age 70 to begin collecting payments and can collect larger payments as a result. The funds are kept in a pair of trust funds, the Disability Insurance trust, and the ASI trust.

How Are The Payment Are Calculated

Payment amounts for retired workers are determined by the wages of the worker who paid into the program during their working years. Payments to surviving spouses or children of passed or retired workers. Payments for disability are made only to those who can positively prove they cannot participate in gainful employment as well as meet additional requirements.

Qualifying for retirement benefits requires that the worker be fully insured by accumulating quarters, or credits, for coverage. Quarters are gained based on the wages of the earner for a predefined period and are accumulated for roughly each $1500 earned. Yearly quarter earnings are capped at 4, with 40 credits, or about 10 years of work.

When a worker is ready to retire, they will receive payments from the OASDI program that are based on the average of her 35 highest-paid years of work. If there are more than 35 years on record, the lowest years are eliminated from consideration. If the worker decides to retire early, then their work history is evaluated and any years without data are calculated as zeros in the 35-year formula. That 35-year average is what her monthly payments will be a portion of.

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Family Legal Senior Social Security Disability

How to Prove Your Disability To The SSA

social security disability

When seeking to qualify for either SSDI or SSI, you will be required to prove your disability. Even when the claim seems like it would be obvious and straightforward. You must remember that only about 30% of all claims initially presented to the SSA are denied. This is one reason why Social Security claims can be so frustrating if you are pursuing it by yourself. Which is why many people opt to work with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer.

Disability As Defined By The Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration has a very clear definition of a disability. If you are only partially or temporarily disabled, you will not be able to claim SSDI or SSI benefits. So, you must show that:

  1. You cannot do the work you did previously, due to the disability
  2. You are unable to do change occupations or do other work due to the disability
  3. The disability will last longer than a year or is anticipated to result in death

If you are able to meet these criteria, you will not be able to engage in any substantial gainful activity. This qualification can be revoked if you earn too much income in a month.

Collect And Organize Your Medical Records

Common claim denials result from the failure of the applicant to provide sufficient medical documentation as evidence of the disability. Spending some time developing your medical documentation can help you prove your disability during the first review period.

The Social Security Administration will need to see records of your disability going back to when it was first discovered. This is known as your disability onset date. This can be difficult to determine for some conditions, so leverage family and friends if needed.

Your doctors can be a priceless resource. Your medical care team should be able to provide you with the records or documentation you need. If necessary, they may also be able to furnish a mental health assessment to be presented to the SSA. Make sure you adhere to your doctor’s directives for treatment as well. If you don’t, the SSA may deny your claim for lack of consistent treatment.

Make Sure You Meet The Requirements

Any disability can be challenging to prove. This can be especially true for those seeking benefits for mental illnesses or conditions. Some will be significant or severe enough that the Social Security Administration will simply grant the benefits. The conditions that qualify someone for SSDI or SSI benefits are detailed in the Blue Book. The Blue Book contains all of the criteria for qualification based on medical diagnosis.

Some conditions may be severe enough that the SSA will only need limited medical documentation. For example, arthritis, asthma, and heart disease. Some conditions will require more rigorous proof, such as mental disorders. Mental disorder claimants will need to meet various criteria that are designed for their particular mental disorder category, such as anxiety or psychosis.

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Children Family

Stocking Stuffers: The Best Ones for Teens

stocking stuffers

You may have a number of pocket-friendly stocking stuffers on your list for your toddlers, but do you draw a point-blank when it comes to your teens? No problem!

We have a list of the best stocking stuffers for your teens this year, and each one will delight them for sure.

1.    Lokai Bracelets

By giving your teen a lokai bracelet in their stocking stuffing, you’ll not only be giving a great gift to your kid but also serving one of the many charities, the founder contributes to.

2.    Bluetooth Shower Speaker

Teens and music seem to be inseparable; at times, it feels they are even incapable of getting through a night of sleep without music. So why not make their shower time more fun with water-resistant mini Bluetooth speakers?

They can croon to their favorite beats while scrubbing up, and the flat bottomed speakers sit conveniently on ledges and shelves.

3.    Driving Gloves

We’re sure your teens are enjoying their newfound freedom as drivers. Gift them a pair of leather driving gloves in their stocking stuffers, and the teens will love how the cold weather gear will protect their hands in freezing temperatures.

4.    Three Bit Pack

Teens these days can’t do without memes. It seems their life revolves around them, and undoubtedly yours are no different. Why not gift them GIF collectibles and memes as their stocking stuffers this year>? Each delivers emotion, and the teens will find them fascinating for sure.

5.    Frother

Our teens rely on Starbucks just as much as we do but can console the extra expense with the excuse that we work for it. But what about the younger ones? Give them the next best alternative to Starbuck, such as a frother.

The tool will help them make customized drinks like hot cocoa and coffee yet saving them precious dollars. Besides, the device is thin and highly functional, and it would make a great stocking stuffer and convenient tool for their duffels.

6.    Cable Bite

We know how teens value their data and charging cables more than their life but are just as careless in keeping them safe. The cable bite is a fascinating little thing that wraps around the cords and keeps them from breaking.

You can find this stocking stuffer in various versions, including pig, catshark, and dogs.

7.    Essential Oils-Bath bombs

If you’ve got teen girls especially, they’ll surely love this gift. They will also find these bath bombs a special treat for their showers at home, especially after sharing the less appealing communal showers at college or school.

The bath bombs come in various essential oils, including sweet orange, jasmine, cinnamon, frankincense, lemon, rosemary, chamomile, peppermint, tea tree, grapefruit, rose, and lavender.  

8.    Face Masks

Find the Airism face masks to gift your teens this year. These masks will not only make a great stocking stuffer, but the triple-layered structure also provides optimal performance. It blocks 90% of ultraviolet rays quite effectively with its UPF 40 rating and comes in three sizes for adults, teens, and children.

These AIRism masks also feature heat-releasing, self-deodorizing, anti-microbial, and sweat-absorbing qualities. Your teens will never complain of feeling sweaty with these masks on.

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Children Family

The Best Easter Activities for The Family

easter activities

There’s nothing like the joy of family and more so at Religious festivals. Easter is a time of merriment and playing silly games, even if you’re all adults. Being the second biggest family event of the year, it is only fitting to invest extra efforts to make sure Easter is an enjoyable time for all the family members.

What better way than some exhilarating and crazy family games to start the fun? Here are some great ideas for you:

1.    Eggo Deco

Eggo deco is an utterly silly game but tell us if the adults don’t squeal with delight while playing this one. For eggo deco, you need to place some Easter-themed stickers upside down on a flat plate or tray with the sticky side up.

Then you place an egg on the plate or tray and roll it around, trying to decorate it with the stickers. Mind you; no one can touch the egg in the process. Whoever gets the most stickers on is the winner, and whoever drops the eggs from the plate loses.

2.    Craft Station

Adults can be worse than kids at arts and craft, and here is an excellent way to have everyone howl with laughter. Prepare a craft station, ready with basic supplies for the family gathering. Have everyone make some Easter bunny ears and wear them on. Don’t forget to take tons of pictures of everyone looking ridiculous and delightfully childish with their funny bunny ears on.

3.    Spring Showers

This one is a whole level of crazy fun. You divide the entire family into teams. Then each group appoints a member who will wear a shower cap lathered with whipped or shaving cream on top. The rest of the team members have to throw Cheetos on the shower cap.

Every piece of Cheetos makes one point, and the more Cheetos, a team, manages to stick on the cap, the more scores they earn.

4.    Flower Planting

Easter is the time of rebirth, which is why we symbolize it with eggs. But what better way to celebrate new life and rebirth than with a tree? Turn this into a memorable and fun family activity by making everyone plant daffodils or tulips.

You can even plant indoor flowers and others, but we promise the entire family will love this activity.

5.    Egg Push

You undoubtedly know about the egg walk, but what about the egg push? Take the game a level higher by giving each player an egg. The race includes rolling the egg using their nose only and no other body part, from the starting line to the finish. The one who completes it first wins the race.

6.    Treat Rope

Some adults will play this game with more delight than others. This game includes tying a long rope or piece of string between two trees, or you may also have two members hold the corners of the string.

The strings must hold many treats, such as cookies or donuts or any other sweet treats. Players from two teams have to work their way through the string, each from the opposite side, eating as many treats in between as possible.

The condition is that the players can only use their mouths to reach the treats and eat them without using their hands and letting them fall. The one who eats the most treats wins.

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Children Family

Gen Z Slang – 11 Phrases Parents Need to Know

gen z slang phrases

One cannot really blame parents who quit trying to understand the jargon their kids seem to be communicating in. We call it the Gen Z slang phrases. It’s certainly not wrong to want to know what the Gen Z is discussing because as parents, it’s your right to know all that’s going on in their lives.

1. A whole Meal

When you hear your kids utter this to someone in passing, they’re commenting on someone looking really good, but mind you it has a sexual connotation to it.

2. Me next time

This phrase is when your kid is telling you to refer to them directly instead of making indirect references. For example, if mom says, “Someone left their dirty plates in the sink” and your child replies, “@ Me next time mom”, you know they’re asking you to be direct.

3. Clout chaser

Being after or caring only for likes and followers. Basically, seeking social media popularity means being a clout chaser.

4. Basic

When a Gen Z is saying you’re too typical, boring, dull etc. Basic is the new way of saying they find you outdated.

5. Boujee

Meaning they enjoy the more extravagant, expensive and fancy things in life.

6. I’m Baby

When they’re feeling incapable or helpless in a certain area of their life, they say I’m baby. This could be a way of asking for help as well for the Gen Z.

7. Flex

When they’re referring to people who show off something strange or irrelevant they will used to word flex. So the next time you catch your young one muttering flex when you’re drilling the importance of respect and family values you learnt as a kid, you know what to fix in them.

8. Ok Boomer

It is the Gen Z’s way of dismissing people they find rather outdated or old fashioned. You may hear them speaking this phrase more when you or other grownups are around and they can’t find common interests.

9. Quaking

The Gen Z slang phrases can be quite hard to decipher such as quaking. This one means to feel appalled or shocked and they may describe it in relation someone famous in the field you’re discussing.

10. Shade

Shade refers to making rude or click comments or talking discreetly in a trashy and insulting way.

11. Glow Up

This describes to a transformation or makeover from a bad to a good thing. For example, if you get a new haircut and your youngster comments you with glow up, it refer to how your new hairstyle is making you look more attractive.

Learning the Gen Z slang phrases can help you in many ways. First, you can show your children you are still young and in-touch with the modern world. Second, you can understand what they are talking about with their friends. Lastly, you can stop them from saying things that you don’t think are appropriate.