How to cope when your parenting style is at odds with your in-laws’

a young man settling conflict between mother and wife

You’re a new parent, and you’re struggling. You’re doing your best to raise your child the way you want to, but your in-laws keep butting in and offering their “help”.

You may feel like you’re constantly walking on eggshells, trying not to offend them. This can be incredibly frustrating and stressful. So what can you do?

In this post, we will offer some tips on how to cope when your parenting style is at odds with your in-laws’. We will attempt to help you find a way to stand up for yourself without sacrificing your relationship with your family.

See things from their POV

It can be tough when your parenting style is different from your in-laws’. You might feel like you’re constantly being judged, or like you’re not doing things the right way.

The first thing you need to do is try to see things from their perspective. Remember, they want what’s best for their grandchild, and they might have a different idea of what that means. Try not to take their comments too personally.

Next, talk to them about your beliefs. This can help them understand your point of view, and it might even lead to some productive discussion. Ultimately, try to be understanding. They’re just attempting to help, after all. If you can compromise, it will go a long way in easing any tension between you and your in-laws.

Establish boundaries with your in-laws

It can be tricky to establish boundaries with your in-laws, especially if they’re used to being more involved in your child’s life than you’re comfortable with.

But it’s noteworthy to remember that you’re the parent, and you get to make the decisions about how your child is raised. Try not to get defensive or argue with them—that’s only going to further strain the relationship. Instead, calmly explain why you’ve chosen to parent your child in a certain way and ask them to respect your decision.

If they continue to push their agenda, it might be helpful to have a family meeting so everyone can discuss the situation and come up with a common ground that works. Just remember, it’s okay to disagree politely with your in-laws—you’re not obligated to settle with everything they say!

Have a heart-to-heart talk with your spouse
a couple having a conversation

Image Credits: hackspirit.com

Before you do anything extreme, have a heart-to-heart talk with your spouse. You must be on the same page when it comes to dealing with your in-laws. Having a firm relationship with your spouse is key when it comes to dealing with tricky family dynamics.

Acknowledge that you have contrasting parenting styles

You’re going to have to come to terms with the fact that you and your in-laws have contrasting parenting styles. It’s not going to be easy, but remember that you’re all trying your best.

Your in-laws might be more hands-on, while you prefer to be more flexible in your child’s life. Or they could be more forgiving than you are, which can cause a lot of tension when you’re teaching your kids about values. But the bottom line is that you need to find a way to peacefully coexist.

Try not to criticize your in-laws’ parenting style, and instead, focus on the things that you do agree on. And when things get heated, take a step back and remind yourself that this is just a phase—it won’t last forever.

It can be tough when your parenting style clashes with your in-laws’, but you’re not alone. Many parents have gone through this, and there are ways to cope. Consider seeking advice from other parents who have been in your position. Chances are, they will be more than happy to share. And finally, keep an open mind. There’s a good chance that your in-laws have something valuable to offer, even if their parenting style is distinct from yours. Try to learn from them, rather than judging them outright.

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How to get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker

boss and employee at work

When it comes to pleasing your boss, you want to make sure you don’t cross the line into the overpraise territory.

Here are a few tips on how to get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker.

Be a team player

Don’t be afraid to share credit for successes. When things go well, make sure your boss knows who to thank. Your colleagues will appreciate the recognition, and it will help you build a good relationship with your boss and your coworkers.

Suggest new ideas

First, try to find a time when your boss is open to new ideas. Maybe they’re venturing into an unexplored collaboration or finding fresh inspirations for business development. If you can, try and catch them when they’re in a good mood.

Next, make sure your idea is feasible. Don’t suggest something impossible or that’s going to take too much time and resources. Your boss will probably appreciate your effort, but it would be useless if they can’t follow through.

Finally, be clear and concise. Get to the point and explain why your idea is a good solution to the problem at hand. Remember, your boss is busy, so they don’t have time to listen to long-winded proposals.

Don’t be a brown-noser
boss and employee having a discussion

Image Credits: mediabistro.com

You want to be seen as someone willing to go the extra mile, but you don’t want to cross the line into sycophancy. Always sucking up to the boss is a surefire way to make enemies among your colleagues. So how can you get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker? Be genuine, be yourself.

Avoid being a know-it-all

You might be tempted to try and show your boss how much you’ve learned by acting like a know-it-all. But this is one of the quickest ways to get on their bad side.

Your boss is probably smart enough, and they don’t need you to lecture them on the finer points of the job. In fact, they will probably see through your act and think you’re just trying to show off.

Instead, try being humble and respectful. Admitting that you don’t know everything and asking for help when you need it will make you seem much more amicable than trying to act like a know-it-all.

Take on extra assignments

If there are tasks that nobody else wants to do, volunteer for them if you think it’s a good learning opportunity for you. This will show your boss that you’re seeking growth and willing to try new things.

And don’t just do it when there’s something big at stake. Offer to help out with smaller tasks too, like creating agendas for meetings or drafting weekly newsletters. The more helpful you are, the better your relationship with your boss will likely be.

There’s no need to grovel and lick your boss’ boots to get ahead. If you resort to such tactics, you will likely just end up alienating your colleagues and torpedoing your career prospects. Instead, try employing some of the tips in this article to get on your boss’ good side without being seen as a sickening bootlicker. With a bit of finesse and strategy, you can have a positive relationship with your boss without compromising the respect of your coworkers.

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How Can Women Focus on Their Retirement?

Women face greater financial long-term risks than men due to several factors. These factors include having a longer lifespan, needing to pay for medical expenses, loss of spouse, and gender pay gap.

Senior Wealth Advisor Sandy Higgins highlighted: “There are varied reasons for this gap, but what holds true are the statistics and cumulative impact of this on retirement savings.”

While the difference between the wages of men and women do not seem large to many, the results can be substantial over time. Thus, it is important for women to focus on their retirement plan. Consider the following tips.

#1: INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Despite having a tendency of being more responsible with money, women were not allowed to open a bank account in their name before the 60s. Today, men are still regarded as the primary financial providers for their families.

Dance with the times by being educated on your finances. Brush up your knowledge on personal finance to get more confident as time passes.

#2: KNOW YOUR SPENDING HABITS

To grow your golden nest in the future, you must become aware of your shopping habits. Tracking your spending allows you to identify where your unnecessary and unplanned purchases happen. This way, you can modify it to achieve your retirement saving goals.

#3: PRACTICE BUDGETING

Always budget the expenses before signing a lease or making a major financial decision. It is important to recognize the full cost of your choices, including your rent or mortgage payment.

Experts say that the most common rule of thumb in housing is that your total housing costs should be no more than 30% of your gross monthly income. Stay as close to this amount as possible.

#4: GET READY TO RETIRE

A woman’s marital situation can affect her retirement plan. For instance, a woman may outlive her husband by several years depending on their age difference. Second marriages and stepchildren can also affect retirement planning.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Structure a realistic and attainable retirement plan. Do not forget about your husband’s assets! Know which assets will be divided among you and your children once your spouse dies.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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The top reasons you shouldn’t hire an intern

a female candidate in an interview

You might be considering hiring an intern to help you out in your business, but before you do, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

While interns can be a great asset to your team, they’re not always the best hiring solution for every company. Here are the top reasons you should think twice before hiring an intern.

Short-term help

You might be thinking that getting an intern onboard would be a smart way to get affordable help, but that’s true only to a certain extent.

Interns are looking for a short-term learning experience that matches their academic schedule and most will leave after three to six months. If you’re looking for long-term help, you would be better off hiring an associate or executive.

Lack of time to train

Think about it—interns usually need a lot of training, especially if they’re very new to the workforce. They need to learn about the way you do things and how to complete their tasks properly. That’s a lot of time and energy that you don’t have to spare.

It’s much better to hire a full-time employee who is already familiar with the industry and knows what they’re doing. This way, they can hit the ground running and start contributing to your team immediately.

You need someone with more experience
guiding interns at work

Image Credits: time.com

You may be thinking, “I don’t have enough work for someone full-time, but I could use some help.” And that’s where an intern can be a suitable option.

But before you decide to hire an intern, you need to be sure that the work you’re asking them to do is appropriate for their level of experience. For instance, if you’re looking for someone to do basic content writing, an intern can be a great option.

But if you need someone with more experience in SEO and who can help you rank your website on Google or other search engines, you might want to consider hiring a full-time employee instead.

You’re looking for an individual to fill a specific role

Are you looking for someone to fill a particular role in your company? If so, an intern might not be a good fit. Full-time employees have specific job descriptions and are usually trained to do those tasks well.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for someone to help out with a range of tasks and you don’t have the bandwidth to train them yourself, then an intern could be an okay option. They are more likely to be eager to learn and will be willing to try a hand in various areas.

There are many justifications as to why you should be hiring an intern, but there are also grounds for reconsideration. For example, interns may not be as qualified and can lack the experience they need to get things done well. Since they may not stay with you for very long, you might have to start from scratch again when a new hire comes in. Do you have the time and energy to spare?

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What to do if your partner seems to have no plans to get married

bride and groom holding hands

You’ve been dating your partner for a while now, and things are going great.

But there’s one thing that’s been bothering you… your partner hasn’t brought up the topic of tying the knot. What do you do? Should you bring it up? And if you do, how do you go about it?

Let’s delve into some advice on what to do if your partner seems to have no plans to get married.

Speak to a counselor

If you’re feeling stuck and don’t know what to do, talking to a counselor about your relationship could be a good option. They will be able to offer you some guidance and help you figure out what steps you can take to move forward.

Understand your partner’s reasons

It’s necessary to understand your partner’s reasons for not wanting to get married. Maybe they don’t believe in marriage, or they’re not sure if they want to be with you forever. Whatever the reason may be, it’s important to respect their decision and have an open dialogue about it. If you can’t agree, then it might be time to reconsider your relationship.

Talk to your partner about your desires
a couple sitting on a bench

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You’ve been dating your partner for a while now and things are going at a stable pace. You’re comfortable with each other, you enjoy each other’s company, and you can’t imagine your life without them.

But there’s one thing that’s been nagging at you: your partner doesn’t want to settle. Well, this is a conversation you need to have with your partner, and it’s not going to be easy. You need to be on the same page when it comes to marriage, and if your partner isn’t that keen, then it’s necessary to figure out where that leaves the two of you.

The key is to be open and honest with each other. Talk about your desires and your longings for a future together. Try to see things from your partner’s perspective while you share your own. And most notably, don’t pressure them. This is a decision they need to make for themselves.

Consider if you should stay in the relationship

If your partner still doesn’t want to get married, it’s time for you to have a serious discussion about the destiny of your relationship. Do you want to stay in a partnership that doesn’t have the potential for marriage? It’s alright if the answer is no. You deserve to be with someone who sees marriage as the endpoint, and if that’s not your current partner, then it’s probably time to move on.

As we close, if your partner has told you that they have no plans to get married, it might be time to figure out where you both stand. You need to decide if you’re okay with living your life without tying the knot, or if you want to end the relationship altogether. Marriage is not for everyone, and that’s okay. But if it’s meaningful for you, you need to make sure that your partner is on the same page. Otherwise, you’re just going to look back at those years in regret.

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