Top Parenting Tips No One Will Tell You About

Most parents will agree that being a mom or dad is one of the most amazing and important tasks that we have to perform in life. A lot of smart and useful books are dedicated to this topic, explaining every nuance of upbringing children. But there are several important secrets of this process that you will never find on the pages of books. They will help you not only to educate your children properly but also to get mutual pleasure from it.

  1. All parents lose patience sometimes

Being a parent means doing a lot of emotional, mental, and sometimes physical work. Not always your efforts will be evaluated, and you won’t see instant feedback from them. Sometimes, on the contrary, we encounter such fierce resistance that we are ready to give up. Therefore, it is quite natural sometimes that there is a desire to get mad and set your emotions free. Do not hold back and throw everything that has accumulated at your kids. If you don’t do that, the consequences will be much worse.

  1. The parents buy the newest and most expensive toys for themselves first of all

Up to a certain age, a child is generally careless about the price of the toy. Children may substitute a toy with a plastic bowl, paper cups, and chestnuts. It is important to teach a daughter or son to enjoy simple things than to injure their psyche by numbers on a price tag.

  1. You have the right to anger

Many parents, especially young people, believe that under any circumstances, they should love their child and show this love in every possible way. This is not true. Sometimes children turn into real monsters. Of course, you should hold back your desire to hand them over to the orphanage immediately because of this, but you need to show your real feelings.

  1. Your ‘no’ will not kill them

Each child must have clearly defined boundaries. And your clear and firm ‘no’ serves to define them. They will sulk and cry, make scenes, or pretend that they accepted your refusal, but no tricks should mislead you and force you to solve what you consider harmful, dangerous or just stupid.

  1. Children should have time for independence

If you constantly take care of your child, then it’s ridiculous to demand independence and self-sufficiency from them. Constant assistance prevents the emergence of the ability to overcome difficulties and develop creativity. Therefore, be sure to leave the children alone intentionally so that they can find a job and entertain themselves without help.

  1. You have the right to rest

No matter how important the task of upbringing children is, you can get tired of it too. Let your children read, paint, and play with toys, while you calmly relax, meditate or just watch TV. Let them know that your time is inviolable and cannot be interrupted by their screams or other stuff.

  1. Proper nutrition starts from an early age

Many parents, especially grandmothers, have completely wild ideas about child nutrition. Yes, it has its own characteristics, but this does not mean that the child needs to be fed with chips, pies, and ice cream. Very often, you can see a picture when parents try to stick to some restrictions in nutrition, and their children are fed all the advertised muck, justifying it with words, like “This stuff won’t do any harm to you while you’re young.” This is absolutely unacceptable.

  1. You should have your own entertainment

Being a parent is not a punishment. This does not mean that you have to give up your personal life and completely dissolve in upbringing and care. If you go to a movie theater, club, to visit friends, or to the stadium without your kids, this doesn’t instantly make you a bad dad or mom! Just keep a reasonable balance.

  1. The upbringing of children can be terribly difficult and a damn pleasant experience at the same time.

Within one day or one hour, you will be able to fall several times in the abyss of disappointment and rise to heaven of exultation. You can experience a surge of severe anger with an interval of 10 minutes, which immediately will be replaced by tears. These are perfectly normal emotions that all normal parents experience. If you feel that you are not coping with this, and your reactions become too acute, then it’s time to seek help and take a small (or big) timeout. If you continue to violate yourself and your psyche, it can hurt not only you but your child.

  1. You will always compare your child, and the result will always be the same

Your child is excellent. It is the fastest, smartest, cleverest, and quick-witted. And if someone doubts this, they’re obviously just jealous. And, you know, you’re absolutely right about that.

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Hottest Trends In Millennial Home Hunting

By year 2020, half of the global workforce will consist of Millennials. As they transcend to the top of the chain, it is important to know how they will spend their money on properties.

#1: IN WI-FI WE TRUST

Above all the hierarchy of needs, technology shines as a newcomer. It comes as no surprise that Millennials value convenience and connectedness. In fact, they are willing to pay more in order to secure their homes with smart technology. Smart technology includes electronic access, key-less locks, security cameras, voice-activated assistants, and so on. Having the ability to control your home from a smartphone is something that appeals to many buyers of this generation.

#2: HOME IS WHERE THE GREENS ARE

Eco-living has been trending nowadays as many people encourage zero waste. Vast majority of Millennials identify themselves as environmentally-conscious individuals who prefer to lead a sustainable lifestyle. This philosophy extends to their homes.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

For instance, they may opt to use Nippon Paint Odour-less or Nippon Paint Aqua Bodelac for its low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content. VOCs are believed to cause many physical reactions to one’s body. Aside from this, they may opt for energy-efficient appliances.

#3: VERSATILITY IS KEY

Open interior layouts with less walls or partitions attract the Generation Y. You see, these open layouts allow them to socialize and to live freely. Moreover, they use one room in a variety of ways. The living room can double as a dining or a gaming room. They redecorate whenever possible.

#4: SIZE DOES NOT MATTER

When it comes to purchasing their nests, size does not matter for Millennials. Since they prioritize convenience over space, they are willing to sacrifice by living in small flats. They prefer locations closer to their offices or the public transportation modes.

#5: HERE FOR THE LONG RUN

People from Gen Y tend to purchase properties later in life. Flexible long-term payment schemes are seen as a safer option rather than paying upfront. You see, they want to live a life in their own terms.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

They do not want the responsibility to hinder them from pursuing their passions!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Newbie’s Guide To Affordable Kids’ Clothing In Singapore

Are you in need of stylish threads on a budget? From adorable dresses to casual boys’ loungewear, I have gotten it all covered for you!

#1: FOR EVERYDAY WEAR: FOX

Due to having a huge family, my childhood was certainly colorful. One of the things that I enjoyed was the Christmas rush. Accompanied by a long list, my mother frequently buys children’s gifts from FOX. This shop houses an extensive range of everyday wear.

For over 14 years in Singapore, FOX has grown tremendously with 17 retail stores islandwide. What I like most about this brand is its ability to offer casual, yet stylish outfits accompanied by accessories. Surely, your little one’s personality will shine!

Website: foxfashion.sg

#2: FOR THE BASICS: UNIQLO

If you believe that shopping for basics is more practical as your children grow rapidly then, you must frequent Uniqlo. This Japanese store tops my list when it comes to basics and loungewear. For instance, “KIDS Packaged Colour Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt” costs S$5.90 only.

You will be able to choose some insanely comfortable shirts and jammies, which are great for the country’s warm weather. Stylish selection does not stop there! You may indulge in the occasional collaborations featuring Disney, Marvel, and other anime characters.

Website: uniqlo.com/sg

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#3: FOR ALL AGES: COTTON ON KIDS

Australia’s Cotton On is a brand that needs little to no introduction. Thriving on cheap yet trendy clothing, Cotton On has since expanded to include the kids and baby’s section. Said section caters to infants up to their teens. What I admire most about this brand is its dedication to regularly updating the collections to keep up with the latest trends.

What’s more? Cotton On Kids has exclusive online sales. Make it a habit to check the website to get more discounts.

Website: cottonon.com/SG/kids

#4: FOR URBAN CHIC PIECES: NEXT

Looking for funky patterns that will suit a fancy party or a stroll to Orchard Street? Try Next Singapore. It is an online shop that has you covered for every occasion. Personally, I am a fan of its dress collection. The quirky patterns on the “Teal Ditsy Print Dress” (about S$11) are incredibly attractive! The teen’s collection is worth checking out too.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Enjoy free shipping for orders over S$50. Otherwise, you will be charged S$6 per order.

Website: next.sg/en

Sources: 1 & 2

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How to Protect Your Assets in a Divorce

Divorce – it happens to the best of us. Statistics show that in the UK there were 106,959 divorces of opposite-sex couples and 112 divorces of same-sex couples in 2016 alone. Although it is, of course, very sad to go your separate ways, it’s important to remember that your assets must be protected in divorce proceedings.

Here are a few words of advice about how a divorce doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll automatically lose half of your assets. Here’s how you can best protect your finances in divorce proceedings:

Don’t Let Emotions Cloud Your Judgement

There’s often a lot of hurt feelings that come hand-in-hand with divorce. However, when it comes to protecting your finances, there’s no room for emotion and ultimately, playing a game of ‘tit for tat’ could be bad news for your assets.

Divorce isn’t cheap and sending short letters to each other through your divorce lawyers about trivial matters could end up costing you hundreds of pounds. Be savvy with your money and pick your battles carefully.

Get Your Property Valued

Almost all property can be divisible in divorce proceedings so the only way to get ahead is to know what your property is actually worth. How else will you get your fair share when you come to part ways?

Dividing your property is always going to be a complex arrangement, especially if you have contributed different amounts to your household. Take time to understand how your home can be divided, whether it’s putting it up for sale or arranging a buy-out.

Get to Know Both of Your Finances

In many households, there’s often one person who manages the majority of the finances and this creates a power imbalance when you’re negotiating settlements. Make sure you know both of your finances thoroughly – any hidden debt that’s incurred during the marriage could be owned by the couple, even if only one spouse signed the paperwork.

This is incredibly complicated so you should protect yourself by seeking advice from your divorce lawyers. They can advise you on how to make informed financial decisions when filing for divorce.

Also, consider your biggest assets – many people think it’s property but it could be a pension account. Bear in mind the court may take into account its future value when dividing assets, which would certainly affect you financially.

Consider Mediation

Mediation is the most cost-effective way of negotiating a divorce. It could help you reach an agreement by yourselves through direct discussions and allow you to negotiate a deal that works for you.

This could help you save money, although you may still need some independent legal advice tailored to your unique circumstances. This could include advice on financial proposals, the information you need, whether the practical arrangements will work and all of the necessary parts of your divorce settlement.

Mediation is an empowering way to keep some level of control over the proceedings and make sensible decisions after all the options have been discussed with your ex-spouse.

If you’re going through a divorce and you’re concerned about how it could affect your financial affairs, follow our tips on how to be smart with your assets even when emotions are running high. These can help you protect yourself and your future, to help you look forward to a positive new start.

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How To Save Money For Your Child’s Education In Singapore

GO LOCAL

As parents, you are well aware that deciding your child’s school involves various choices and costs. It is quite a task to run through every option available in Singapore. Budgetary constraints start from pre-school onwards. To play things safe, choose a government-associated institution. The public school system provides globally competitive education without putting a strain on your pocket.

LOCATION IS VITAL

Location plays an important role when choosing a tuition center. If you value tuition then, opt for the centers close to your home. Alternatively, you may organize a carpool program to cut down your transportationc costs.

Say that you intend to enroll your children in a private tuition. Consider asking for their package or discounted deals.

HONE THE HOBBIES

Academics is not everything! Raising a well-rounded child involves shaping his or her hobbies. You do not need to spend cash on workshops as there are many free amenities found in your town park. Go to the nearby park and let your child play on the swings.

Is your child interested in reading? Spend quality time at home by reading your child a storybook during bedtime. Furthermore, the National Library Board hosts free educational events such as the sold out program entitled: “Let’s Science Together! – Science Experiments for Parents and Kids”. For more information about their upcoming events, visit: nlb.gov.sg.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Lastly, you may stroll in Esplanade to experience their free artistic events such as the “A Monsta Party”!

TREASURE IN THE BOX

Dig through your child’s closet and toy box to find some hidden treasures! Instead of throwing away your children’s outgrown clothes and used toys, you may sell them online or through a consigment store. Selling your stuff away will not only help you clear out, but also provide you extra cash.

INVEST ON BONDS

Investing your money on the stock market help you grow an education fund. One of the most popular investment options for education funding is bonds. Singapore Government Bonds is believed to be close to risk-free. Choose long-term bonds with periods ranging from 2 to 30 years in order to get higher returns.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Birthdays are important to your children as gifts come along with it. In lined with this, you may try asking your relatives to provide experiential gifts. Experiential gifts refer to soccer classes, swimming lessons, or other enrichment programs that your child can benefit from.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Not only are these gifts more memorable than toys, but it can also help you save for your child’s future education.

Sources: 1 & 2

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