Consistency In Parenting A Toddler

When your baby starts transitioning from being an infant and becomes a full grown toddler, it can really turn your home life upside down for a while. The energy, the independence and the mood swings can make everything about life with your child feel like it's changing. But that doesn’t mean you should give in to the chaos. Making room for change is important, but consistency is just as important for toddlers as it is for younger children. Let's examine what that looks like, and why it’s so important.

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Expectations And Boundaries

As your child physically develops, they're going to mentally develop as well. Their communication is going to improve, and they’re going to become a lot more self aware. While it’s natural for your child to feel out, explore and even push the limits of their world at this stage, it’s important for you to set boundaries for them. Clearly communicate household rules in simple language, like “Toys stay in the play area” or “We wash our hands before meals.” Repeat these expectations consistently so your toddler connects the rule with the behavior. You also need to be aware that inconsistency in these boundaries is one of the most effective ways to undermine them. Avoid changing things based on your mood or situation.

Establishing Your Mealtime Norms

Your toddler’s eating habits are going to change as they begin eating new foods. They're a lot more likely to want to handle spoons and forks themselves. They’re also going to be more willing to express exactly when they want to eat and what they want. It’s important to serve meals and snacks at roughly the same time each day, preferably in a familiar setting, and with rules on sitting at the table and using utensils. Fussiness is expected, but if you give in to it, then they’re going to rely on it a lot more to eat at a whim. Even if it doesn’t always make for the best schedule.

Maintain A Predictable Bedtime Routine

Your toddler is going to experience changes in their sleeping habits, such as moving from a cot to a bed. Amongst the 9 reasons your toddler won't sleep that are most common, an inconsistent bedtime routine is one of the easiest to approach. Have a set time to start going to bed at, including a time to be under the covers by. Beginning with calming activities in the same order, such as taking a bath, then getting into pajamas and reading a short book can help their brain start entering that restful state. Keep overstimulation to a minimum during the hour before they start getting ready for bed. Call an end to active play and make sure there are no bright screens on around them. This predictability helps regulate your toddler’s internal clock, improving both the speed at which they fall asleep and the quality of their rest.

What About Discipline?

As your child becomes a lot more communicative and better able to understand you, you’re going to have to come up with your own approach to discipline. As with boundaries, consistency is vital in discipline to avoid any kind of confusion on the rules or the cause and effect that follows misbehavior. Bad behavior shouldn’t have a set consequence one day, only to be ignored later. Age appropriateness is important, of course, such as a brief time out from play is they’re too rough or not sharing well. If you have any caregivers, then you should make sure that they have the same approach to discipline as you do. You don’t want your child to play up more around other adults because they don’t think they can expect the same consequences for misbehavior.

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The Question Of Screen Time

The role of digital technology and the glow of the screen is something that modern parents have to consider in a way that past generations never did. While putting on the occasional cartoon or kids' show can prove a vital distraction when you’re not able to give your child 100% of your energy, overreliance on screens can set a dangerous precedent. Finding ways to spend screen-free time with your kids is vital. Try to set a clear daily or weekly limit on screen time use, such as 20 minutes a day, and stick to it. Regardless of whether it’s the weekend or not. And make sure to check all content that your child accesses, especially on the internet, to ensure that it’s appropriate.

Coordination Is Key

If there is anyone else looking after your child, whether it’s a partner, grandparents, babysitters or daycare providers, you should be upfront about sharing your standards with them. Most will be willing to adapt to your routines, rules and expectations. For things like meal times and nap schedules, it might be best to write them down to make sure there’s no forgetting or confusion. When toddlers experience consistency across environments, they adjust more easily and behave more predictably. Mixed messages from different caregivers can cause frustration and testing of boundaries.

Adapt Gradually, Not Abruptly

Things are going to change as your toddler grows, and it’s important to anticipate that while maintaining consistency as much as possible. Any changes should happen gradually. For instance, if they need to start going to bed an hour earlier, then start shifting their bedtime routine by ten minutes every couple of nights, rather than trying to simply get them ready for bed an hour earlier. You want to avoid changing too many routines at once, and explain any changes that they’re likely to notice in simple terms that they can understand. Make sure that no change feels like a punishment.

Consistency remains vital for a toddler, it’s just going to look a lot different from the consistency you had when they were an infant. Hopefully, these points have shown you have to find that new normal and explore this exciting (and stressful) new stage of development together.

This is a contributed post. 

Unique Ways To Consume Cannabis

With cannabis consumption becoming legal in many places all over the world, a truly booming industry continues to grow. There are now more ways of consuming marijuana than ever before, and while the standard joint or brownie is still a firm favorite, there are many other ways to consume it. Read on to learn five unique cannabis consumption methods on the market today!

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1. Pre-rolls

There are a ton of cannabis pre-rolls recommendations and review articles around at the moment, and it’s easy to see why. Pre-rolls negate the need to roll your own joints, and in many ways offer a more sophisticated way to consume.  Another benefit is that when you buy a pre-roll, you’ll also have all the information you need about its contents (taste, origin, THC content, etc). 

2. Portable Dry Herb Vaporizers

One of the most popular ways of consuming cannabis is with a dry herb vaporiser. As opposed to carton based vapes, you pack these products with the actual flower itself. There’s no combustion involved as there would be with a joint or blunt, so they’re considered a much healthier alternative.  Because there isn’t any smoke, you can also taste the true flavor of whatever strain you’re using. 

3. Edible Candies or Chocolate

As previously mentioned, brownies and other baked goods reigned supreme as the main method of consuming cannabis in an edible form, but since legalization, there have been hundreds of new products come to market. Most of these are various types of candies or chocolate, and there is a dizzying array of flavours and types. You should be able to find plenty at your local dispensary. 

4. Tabletop Vaporizers 

If you mostly partake at home as a group, a tabletop vaporizer might be the best choice for you. These models follow the same principles as the portable dry herb vapes, but their much larger capacity enables the user to take a bigger hit.  Designs like the Volcano work by filling up a large bag, which is then passed around the group and inhaled. But these types of vaporizers are typically more expensive than their portable counterparts. 

5.  Tinctures

You can think of a tincture as a type of extract. They contain the core cannabinoids that are associated with the relaxing, psychoactive effects of the plant, such as THC and CBD.  They’re preserved in a liquid base (usually alcohol or oil), and all you need to do is place a droplet underneath the base of your tongue. Somewhere between the effects of inhalation and an edible, tinctures typically take around 90 minutes to kick in. And as is the case with all cannabis products, they come in a variety of different strains to suit your preferences. 

Wrapping Up 

Hopefully, this article has inspired you to try out some different methods of consumption. Switching things up periodically is a great way to keep the hobby fresh, so be sure to try out as many as possible. Have fun!

This is a contributed post.

Vacation Ideas To Consider

There comes a point when you’re ready to take a break from your job and daily responsibilities. So why not start thinking about it now? If you plan out the trip ahead of time, you'll be able to avoid the stress so you can recharge and have some fun.

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The good news is that there are a variety of types of getaways you can plan according to your interests. It’s a good idea to sit down and think about how you want to spend your time and money when you get the chance to escape for a while. Below are some different types of vacations that you can consider.

Go Camping and Hunting

It can be quite relaxing to spend some time outdoors in nature. Therefore, you may want to consider a camping and hunting getaway. You can rent or purchase an RV and set up at a local RV campground. Or you can pitch a tent in the wilderness and do some hunting. One idea to think about is to try hog hunting at a place such as https://sandforktexashoghunting.com. Decide if you want to stay for a day or two, or make it a week long trip. There’s lodging available and you'll enjoy some scenic and breathtaking views. 

Head to the Beach

Another type of vacation to consider is visiting the beach. Spend you time sun bathing on your beach towel, playing in the sand or cooling off in the water. There may even be spots where you can grill and have a tasty lunch. Make sure that you put safety first and watch your kids closely if you’ll be taking them along. Pay attention to any flags or warning signs that are posted so you know which areas are safe for swimming. And while you're there, make sure everyone applies plenty of sunscreen throughout the trip to avoid a sunburn.  

Book A Health Retreat

If you are mindful of your well being and would like to come home feeling your best, consider a get away to a health retreat or yoga retreat. It’s a chance to focus on yourself and reduce stress and anxiety. There are many destinations that will engage you in healthy cooking, getting daily exercise while making sleep and rest a top priority. They also offer guided meditations to clear your head.  

Visit A Big City

If you enjoy the hustle and bustle and don’t want to be bored then consider visiting a big city. Big cities are filled with various activities to participate in and there will be plenty of dining options available to you. There are also plays or shows that you can take in. Do your homework ahead of time to see if there will be any local festivals or events going on that you may want to check out. The best part is that you can stay right in the heart of the city and walk everywhere you need to go. 

This is a contributed post.

10 Ways to Get More Creative in Life

When it comes to life, we all have our own individual strengths. This means that we have different interests and preferences, and it gives us the sense of variety that is very much needed. If we were all the same, life would be pretty boring. But even though each of us has our own unique skillsets, you can still grow and develop new ones if you want to. Just because you excel at one thing, that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn to excel in other areas too. Some of your talents come naturally to you because you were born with them. And some of them take commitment and consistent practice to be developed.

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Some people are naturally more creative than others. The writers and artists of the world are always the ones who are drawn to the world of beauty, art and creativity. If that isn't you, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have the potential to write or create art. In fact, there are so many benefits in striving to be more creative. So please read on to see ten ways that you can use to become more creative in life.

1. Get Out Into Nature

One of the best things that you can do is to get out into nature. There are so many incredible benefits of being in nature, and being more creative is one of them. Spending more time gardening is an excellent way to do this. Planting and creating your own garden, and creating something special out there is a form of creativity in itself. You can also go for walks out in nature and use what you see as inspiration for your creativity.

2. Indulge in Art

Take the time to indulge in some sort of art. This can be paintings or other forms of physical art. Or it can be writing, crafting, playing music, sewing or something of that nature. The point is to flex your creative muscles and try your hand at something new. This will help you to figure out what you enjoy the most.

3. Take a Class

If you want to become better at one particular set craft, taking a class to help you develop your skills in that area is a great idea. You can even take a range of different classes to explore multiple possibilities. Don't limit yourself to just one thing.

4. Have Fun With Tech

Technology is a great tool to use to flex your creative muscles. Photography is a great example here. You can play around with different cameras and lenses to see how you can get different results. You can even get drone shots of the world, especially when you travel. If you’re not sure what type of drone to get, click here for a comparison of some of the best. You can also use different software packages to get creative with editing and producing different styles of shots.

5. Travel More

Traveling is always going to stir up your creative senses, so try to do more of it. As you’re starting to travel more, you’ll find yourself in new lands, among different people with different cultures and traditions. Let this inspire you to think differently and gain new perspectives. You can also be inspired by the landscapes, local art and ways of living.

6. Try Out Different Mediums

If you've tried some new things without finding your inspiration, try something different. Maybe you’re not the world’s best painter, but you could be great at sculpting. Maybe you don’t like to write, but you could be fantastic at making jewelry. It’s all about being open minded and trying out different things that will allow you to explore your creativity.

7. Go to Events

It can also be a lot of fun to go to different events. There are so many creative events that can attend. Like exhibitions, concerts, shows and poetry readings. That’s the thing about the creative world, there are so many ways to indulge in it.

8. Listen to More Music

One thing that will always put you in a creative thinking mood is music. Music is known to increase your creativity and put you in a state of mind that encourages divergent thinking. This will allow you to enhance your mood and encourage you to think of new things.

9. Be Mindful

If your mind feels very busy, it’s going to stop you from indulging in creative thinking. So you want to be more mindful.  It can make such a huge difference. It allows you to quiet your mind and get your creative juices flowing. You can't be your most creative self if your mind is always racing.

10. Challenge Yourself

Finally, make sure that you’re challenging yourself. If you’re set in your ways, you’ll be stuck in a fixed mindset, which limits your creativity. In order to flex your creative muscles and grow in the right ways, you need to ensure that you’re pushing yourself and taking on more challenges. Maybe try doing a more complex drawing, writing in a new way or growing a new plant. It’s all about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things that will help you to be more creative.

This is a contributed post.

Ultimate Guide For Stargazing Road Trips

There’s something unmistakably grounding about watching the sky unfold in places where the night still means dark. With no city lights and no noise to distract you from the beauty of the stars. For those who crave silence and sky, a stargazing road trip isn’t just a vacation; it’s a way back to the basics of the things that matter.

But it's not about driving to a random hilltop and pulling out a plastic telescope. If you’re serious about stars, you make plans. You use gear that won’t shake every time a door shuts. You look for elevation, dry air and low horizon clutter. You also think about how to transport your telescope without turning it into a rattling wreck of glass and aluminum.

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Packing For The Cosmos: Roof Rack Realities

Standard roof racks for your car are not good enough. If you’re hauling serious gear (like a Dobsonian, refractor or anything with mirrors) you need to use more than a few tie downs and crossed fingers. Bumpy access roads and high speed stretches of roads can ruin the alignment before you even hit your first stop.

Look into racks that offer modular compatibility and systems that allow you to secure your weatherproof cases with rigid foam interiors. Think military spec storage, not sports gear. For those with a knack for DIY, repurposed bike fork mounts can be a surprising win for locking telescope bases into place, making them stable, low profile and adaptable. And if you’re looking for a more permanent build, especially for multi-day trips with rooftop tent setups or overland storage boxes, check out https://centralalps.com/. They offer upgrade options that can elevate your rig into something more suitable for long haul, backcountry observation without compromising your gear’s safety. Because if your telescope doesn’t survive the drive, what’s the point?

Where To Go When You Want Real Night

• Big Bend, Texas: There are nights here where the Milky Way casts shadows. It’s that dark. Remote, rugged and unreasonably clear. The Chisos Basin area is your best bet. It's protected from horizon lights and is often sheltered from the wind.

• Steens Mountain, Oregon: High desert air, no trees, zero light pollution, but tricky access. Bring your own water, fuel and patience. But the kind of starfields that make you reconsider your place in the universe makes this destination so worth the inconveniences.

• Tonopah, Nevada: It's halfway between Vegas and Reno, but might as well be on another planet. A designated dark sky zone with amenities close enough to feel civilized, but not bright enough to ruin the view.

Observing With Intent

Don’t just “look” at the sky. Observe it. Plan your viewing sessions. If you want to track Saturn’s rings over four nights, set coordinates for it. Use an app like SkySafari or Stellarium. But also have printed star charts on hand. Batteries die. If that happens you can use the star charts as a guide.

You should also dress in layers. Even in the summer deserts dip below freezing on these adventures. And don’t underestimate the wind chill factor at 8,000 feet. Bring a few friends to share the experience with. But not a crowd. Stargazing is best shared only with people who understand the value of silence.

What They Don’t Tell You

Your telescope will get dusty. Your food will taste better. You’ll sleep less and feel more awake. You just might cry. Not from the view, but from realizing how long it’s been since you just stood still.

Oh, and your phone won’t work in most of these places, which is good because this isn’t about being connected. It’s about tuning in to the things we forgot to notice. 

To Orion, low in the east.

To Jupiter, rising like a promise.

To the silence that reminds you that you’re still part of something enormous.

This is a contributed post.