Archives for August 2020

Newborn Essentials in 2020

Though there are hundreds of essential things you should take care of when it comes to collect essentials for your newborn baby but some of the most essential things in today’s advanced era of 2020 are briefly discussed in this write-up. It may help the first time parents to take care of their newborn more carefully.

Nursing positioner and pillow: New parents must have this set of nursing pillows and positioners as it will help them in supporting the baby while feeding him. It will give a break to your back and arm along with allowing your baby to fill up his tummy without being disturbed. This set can also help the baby to learn sitting and parents to take care of other important things.

Breast Pump: For working moms, this manual breast pump can help in feeding their baby their breastfeed even if they are busy at their workplace. They can put it in their diaper bag or purse and use this silicone pump to suck milk from their breasts simply by attaching it to them. It is easy to clean this pump so that you can give hygienic feed to your baby every time.

Newborn feeding Bottles: These feeding bottles are required to give the breastfeed sucked through the breast pump to the newborn. These bottles are specially designed for newborn babies as they have vents to remove bubbles of air while feeding the baby. It also helps in preventing the fussiness and spitting up while taking the feed. They can be cleaned easily after every use with the help of a cleaning brush provided with them.

Baby formula: For new moms, who cannot breastfeed their baby due to some clinical reasons, it becomes necessary to find the best baby formula. They must choose a formula that can provide all the necessary nutrients required for the proper growth of their baby. Though you can find a wide variety of baby formula in the market still you can find one that can provide the best nourishment to your baby by taking a few careful steps.

Burp cloths: A burp cloth made of flannel can be of great help for the new moms when their baby spit up abruptly. You can find various types of burp cloths in the market but flannel burp cloths are considered to be the best. You can fold them as well as expand them to cover the surface as required while protecting your clothes from spit-up of your baby.

Microwave sterilizer: Earlier baby essentials were sterilized by boiling them but today in a fast-moving lifestyle it became necessary to have a microwave sterilizer so that you can save time while sterilizing the items of your baby without damaging them. It will allow you to sterilize the items of your baby within a few minutes.

Night light and sound machine: Alight at night is very essential with a newborn baby as you have to feed him and change his diaper several times at night. A sound machine can help you in sleeping at night. Many companies offer a combo pack of sound machines and night lights to make it more affordable and convenient for new parents. You can reset and control both of these devices with the help of your phone as per the schedule of your baby.

Swaddle: For a newborn, a swaddle is a must as it allows you to wrap up your baby properly while taking him safely wherever you go. A blanket in the swaddle can help in keeping your baby warm, cozy, and safe. It should help your baby to sleep comfortably for a long time.

Baby Carrier: Though you can find a wide variety of baby carriers in the market but you should choose one that is ergonomically designed, keeps your baby comfortable, and fits in your budget. You can use a baby carrier to carry your baby in four positions including carrying in front with face outward, carrying in front with face inward, carrying on the hips, and carrying in the back with the help of its adjustable padded shoulder straps and belt.

Thus, you can keep your newborn baby comfortable as well as focus on your work in 2020 by organizing the baby essentials listed in this write-up.

3 Ways to Boost Your Teens Creativity

When your children are small, there was no need to encourage inventive thoughts or creative play – for small children, the ability to think outside the box was something that came naturally – just like breathing, and along with this came artistic and imaginative activities.

However, as your child grows and the teenage years get closer, many kids who were once free-spirited and outgoing become wary and self-conscious about getting outside of their comfort zone. However, not all is lost. It is never too late to re-inspire your teen. Keep reading for some fun ways to boost your teen’s creativity that is both effective and fun.

1. Lead by Example

One of the most effective ways for you to encourage creativity in your teen is to lead by example. Maybe you once had a passion to write or enjoyed painting in your spare time. Perhaps this activity was buried under all the commitments that came with day-to-day life as a parent. Or, maybe you still attend a dance or pottery class each week, without fail.

Everyone has some creative flair – even if it is long-forgotten or buried under the surface, so regardless of if you love to bake, enjoy decorating, or have a passion for math, do it with gusto and make sure your teen sees your enthusiasm. If you are doing what you love, so will they.

2. Encourage Questions

Another way to encourage your teen to be more creative is to make sure they know that questioning any and everything they aren’t sure of is smart. Tell them to learn to look for answers to the questions they have. You can teach this skill of questioning by playing strategic board games.

Be sure that your child can explore their own thoughts, beliefs, and opinions and that just because they have a viewpoint that isn’t shared by others, it doesn’t mean it is wrong. While doing this, make sure you help your teen understand there is a way to express their views in an adamant manner, without being dismissive or rude to others.

3. Teach Them The Importance Of a Healthy Lifestyle 

Healthy lifestyle could be narrowed down to several categories that your teenager should understand: proper food, quality sleep and a good dose of activity. All three will boost their creativity, as they will support their development. They can even learn creativity from improving their lifestyle – learning to cook fun and healthy meals, or helping renovate their room for improving their sleep by choosing the best mattress for kids.

Don’t Stifle Their Creativity

Always encourage your teens to try out something new. This may be an activity they haven’t ever considered, like learning an instrument. Let them figure out what they want to eat for dinner and urge them to select a dish they have never had before.

Don’t impose your views on your teen too much. Even parents who have the best intentions may begin to stifle their teen’s creativity inadvertently by being too bossy or self-imposing. If you find that you are flippant or dismissive of their more outlandish thoughts or suggestions, or if you are worried about the mess they are or may make, take a step back. A nervous and hovering parent isn’t conducive to creativity. You have to give them room to breathe and make their own mistakes if you expect this new, creative side of them to thrive.

Encouraging Creativity in Your Teen

As you can see, there are more than a few ways you can encourage your teen to be more creative. Take some time to think about which option would resonate with your teen – sometimes, using a mix of all three will produce the best results. Most parents have found when they allow their teens the freedom to express themselves and be creative, their child is happier and healthier and they turn into much more successful adults, which is always a positive outcome.

Images: Pixabay

Don Juan, Aug. 20th Pet of the Week!

Look at that soulful face, gaze into those longing eyes. This cat looks as if he’s about to say, “Come with me to the Catsbah!” Meet the aptly named Don Juan, a 4-month-old male brown tabby. This guy’s charm goes far beyond seduction. With that come-hither stare and his mellow purr, he’ll melt your heart and put you under his spell…a true-love spell! Because the shelter is closed to the public, adoption appointments are conducted through email, so contact AnimalRescue@longbeach.gov to meet Don Juan. Ask for ID#A64720.

How to Choose the Best Cat Boarding for Your Cat

Have you ever had to cancel your holiday plans because you couldn’t find a qualified pet sitter for your cats? Or did you have to cut your night out short to rush to feed your beloved cat?

If any of this rings true, then pet hotels and hostels might just be the solution you have been looking for. With October just around the corner, pet owners are gearing up for another anxious holiday season. This year, beat the stress by looking up the best pet boarding options in your vicinity.

Numerous cat hotels have sprung up across the country, each one trying to outdo the other by adding a host of new, luxurious services. But choosing the right boarding facilities for your cat is not an easy job. After all, you love your cats too much just to leave them at the mercy of strangers.

So, how do you make sure your cat is looked after and pampered while you are gone? Which cat hotel is the perfect fit for your furry little friend? Which cat boarding facility will keep your pet safe, healthy, and engaged until your return?

As doting pet parents, these questions seem daunting. To help you out, here’s a list of pointers that can help you pick the best cat hotel for your four-legged family member.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT CAT BOARDING?

  1. Visit the boarding facility.

While you may have browsed their websites or called up their receptions to gather details, it is advised to visit the facility before you leave your pet there.

Have a look around to judge the place on its cleanliness, feeding area, and rooms.

Talk to the caretakers and enquire about the everyday routine the housed pets follow.

  1. Look for a cat exclusive hotel

Most pet boarding facilities house all kinds of pets under one roof. While that might not sound altogether bad, cats tend to be reclusive. Pairing it up with a boisterous dog might put undue stress on your little friend.

Searching for a cat only hotel will also ensure that your pet gets the special attention it deserves, especially when dealing with moody and fussy cats.

  1. Pay attention to your pet’s needs.

Not all cats are born the same. Each one has a distinct personality that makes them so unique and lovable. This also means that going on your opinion alone might be a fallacy. If your cat is old and reserved, putting it in a home-style boarding might be a better option than stuffing him in with ten other cats. On the other hand, if your cat loves jumping around and climbing, a resort with its big lawns is the best choice.

  1. Feeding arrangements

Your cat has grown up in a loving household and is used to being pampered and fussed about. In a cat hotel, they might feel alone and left out. The least you could do is make sure that they still have access to their favourite foods.

Make sure the boarding facility is serving a nutritious, organic, and balanced diet. If you believe your cats won’t like it, then make arrangements to have their favourite food delivered.

  1. Access to your pets

Even though you are far away, you still miss your cat as much as it misses you. Make sure the hotel has a platform where you can receive regular updates about your pet. Some luxury resorts offer a 24 hour live viewing feed while others allow you to video call your pet at fixed timings.

Choosing the right cat hotel will allow you to enjoy your holidays while your cats enjoy theirs. Don’t let the stress of being away from your pet bog you down. Follow these guidelines diligently to make the right choice for your precious little friend.

What To Do After Adopting a Pet Dog

Adopting a pet dog is a whole new different ball game from getting one that’s a newborn. For one thing, this dog may have had an old master, may have been abandoned, or may have been abused. Not very pretty realities, but they do happen. These things should not deter you from rescuing a furry canine companion. Pet adoption will open up a beautiful experience for you and your family. Thankfully, there is a big-hearted individual like you who is willing to open up your heart and home to a hurting dog.

This adoption process may be overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be too hard if you know where to begin. Planning ahead by buying no RX dog supplies and prepping your home will ease the transition. Bringing home a new pet is definitely exciting, and forging a new bond is a heart-warming process. To help you, your family, and your new pet adapt to a new home routine, here’s what you need to do to ensure a fluid transition:

Prep The Home

Just like baby proofing, it is vital to get your home ready for your newly adopted pet. If it is just a pup, you may want to walk through your home and keep away stuff that is harmful to your tiny puppy. If it is a bigger dog, you may want to buy pet toys. If you have other furry creatures in the house, you want to make sure that every animal’s shots are updated for safety purposes. You will need to give time for everyone in your home to acclimatize to the newest family addition.

Designate a Safe Space

It would help if you assigned space for your newest addition. Animals can get territorial so giving this private space will make your dog feel welcome and at home in your house. Some pet parents don’t like dog crates, so they assign a room corner like the family den. If you want to train or block the room, you can invest in a pet gate which will signify boundaries.

Get Pet Supplies Ready

You must get pet supplies ready before you even bring home your adopted dog. Get the basics like a kennel, a collar, leash, food bowl, water, bowl, bed, food, and grooming supplies. If your new dog has not been trained, you may need training pads in case of accidents. It would also help to have no RX dog supplies on hand like dewormers or flea powders.

Plan the Homecoming

It would be best to take a few days off from work or take your adopted dog home on the weekend. You must do this when you have free time so you can spend a few days of quality bonding. And do make sure you visit a vet and your dog’s immunization shots are done ahead. When you pick up your dog, have someone drive you or ride along in the vehicle to ease your new dog’s worry. Do bring the collar and leash or other dog treats to calm him down.

Explore the Family Home

Keep your dog on the leash and let him explore around your house. Let him sniff whatever he wants and show him his space. Whatever is off-limits, you must give a firm no. Include an excursion to your yard, and show your dog the designated potty area. When the dog uses it successfully, do give a reward. So your adopted dog can adjust to the new surroundings, you must be patient and give him plenty of time to check out your home.

Introduce Family Members

Finally, it is time to meet family members. An animal rescue group shared that introducing family members and other pets must be done one at a time. Make sure the other pets are on a leash, and you are there to supervise. Doing it one by one ensures your new arrival doesn’t get overwhelmed by all the strange faces. If you have kids, teach them to be cautious. Making friends with the new pooch is great, but overly hugging and kissing is a no-go at the first meeting no matter how cute the dog is.

Final Word

Adopting a pet dog is really a noble endeavour that will bring forth many exciting and heart touching experiences. All of these will give you and your family loving memories. Adopting a pet means you save a valuable life!

Should You Worry If Your Dog Has Ticks?

Singapore is a developed island country in Southeast Asia, known for its world-class ports, the Marina Bay skyline, hawkers, theme parks, and all-year-round sun. Western tourists love the tropical climate because they can enjoy the sights without worrying about the rain, especially during the dry months. Locals can also walk their dogs or bring their cats, especially to Nex, which is the only retail shop that allows pets inside.

However, those who have pets know that they are vulnerable to ticks. They thrive in Singapore because of its high humidity and warm temperature. 

In Singapore, you will often find the brown dog tick. But you can also buy anti-tick or anti-flea products from an online pet shop in Singapore, which should resolve your problem easily.

What are ticks?

Ticks are parasites that attach to your dog through their mouth as well as the gluelike substance on their limbs and bodies. They will then feed on the blood throughout their lifespan. Most people would be surprised to know that the tick lives quite a long time. It can feed on the blood of your dog from three months or up to 24 months. Female ticks, meanwhile, use the blood as nutrients to lay their eggs, which means that the parasites will quickly multiply on the dog.

It is easy to know if your dog has ticks, and you only have to inspect every inch of its body. If your pet has a thick fur, you can typically find these parasites on the following spots:

  • Inside the ears
  • Neck
  • Armpit
  • Hind legs
  • Base of the tail
  • Spine
  • Between the toes
  • Eyelids

You should definitely worry if you find these parasites on your dog because they can also infect humans, especially if you have young kids in the house. For instance, ticks are known carriers of Lyme Disease, which can be fatal. The problem is you would not notice if the tick has bitten you until after when you notice some red marks surrounding the spot.

The dog will also suffer because of the infestation. Among the symptoms that your dog will manifest include:

  1. Fever or high temperature
  2. Anaemia
  3. Loss of appetite
  4. Weight loss
  5. Discolouration of the body, eyes, and ears
  6. Reddish or brownish urine

In some cases, the dog will experience arthritis and swelling of the joints due to the infection. And yes, it can kill your pet.

Treating Ticks

However, it is easy to resolve the problem, especially if it is still in the early stages. The vet will have some medication that will control the infestation. You can also remove some of the ticks using tweezers. Just make sure that you do not squeeze it between your fingers because the blood can be infected.

Instead, you can dump the ticks on a container with rubbing alcohol.

Also, you can order products from an online pet shop in Singapore that should get rid of your tick problem.

Here are just some of the examples of proven products that prevent and control ticks:

  • Manuka Washbar soap
  • Richard’s Natural Flea Spray
  • Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Treatment
  • Revolution Flea and Tick Treatment
  • Insect Shield
  • TropiClean Natural Shampoo

The best part is that you can use any of these as a home remedy and you do not have to spend money on the vet. But as a caveat, only if the tick infestation is in its early stages. Your dog might need to be injected with antibiotics, especially if the ticks have multiplied exponentially.

The One and Only Ivan * Realistic CGI and Profound Message That Captures Your Heart

A gorilla named Ivan tries to piece together his past with the help of an elephant named Stella as they hatch a plan to escape from captivity. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “With realistic computer-generated imagery and a profound message, The One and Only Ivan captures its viewers’ hearts and minds. Throughout the ninety-four-minute feature, just about anyone will grow rather fond of Ivan and his pals. The film comprises a mix of human characters, settings and assets created with computer graphics that is both believable and intricate. The One and Only Ivan flows magically, and its power-packed message has been perfectly preserved and magnified from its literary inspiration.” See his full review below.

The One and Only Ivan

By Eshaan Mani, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

With realistic computer-generated imagery and a profound message, The One and Only Ivan captures its viewers’ hearts and minds. Throughout the ninety-four-minute feature, just about anyone will grow rather fond of Ivan and his pals. The film comprises a mix of human characters, settings and assets created with computer graphics that is both believable and intricate. The One and Only Ivan flows magically, and its power-packed message has been perfectly preserved and magnified from its literary inspiration.

(Interview with Ariana Greenblatt)

The comedic feature film directed by Thea Sharrock is an adaptation of author K.A. Applegate’s Newbery Medal-winning book by the same title. The title character, a silverback gorilla, headlines at the Big Top Mall Circus in Atlanta, GA. Ivan enjoys notoriety and popularity far and wide for his façade of ferocity. He lives quite happily with his multi-species troupe of friends, including Mack, the ringleader, Stella and Ruby, the elephants, Henrietta the chicken and Bob, the dog. After experiencing a loss and then a new arrival, things at the Big Top take a turn. Ivan devotes himself to piecing together his past and, in the process, works together with his buddies to hatch a plan to escape from the circus.

Produced by Allison Shearmur, Angelina Jolie and Brigham Taylor, The One and Only Ivan does not disappoint when it comes to star power. Sam Rockwell voice-acts the part of Ivan, Bryan Cranston portrays Mack, and Bob is voiced by Danny DeVito. Sam Rockwell puts forth a compelling performance; his honest and emotional voicing of Ivan made me sympathize with the gorilla and hear his voice on a deeper level. Bryan Cranston puts on an inspiring and enthralling performance as Mack, the slightly hammy ringleader who isn’t afraid to take risks. His delivery was on point, as well. And lastly, a veteran in the Hollywood film industry, Danny DeVito – his comic timing, as in his other eighty-nine performances, is impeccable. Bob adds a lighter air to the film, especially at some sad moments. The hilarious script by Mike White, expert cinematography and graceful, powerful music also work together to make the viewing experience even more enjoyable. My favorite part of this film is the final circus performance – you’ll have to watch it to see why!

This Disney+ film gives us hope that we can all change the world and make a difference just like Ivan does – not only does he make a difference in his life but also in the life of his young responsibility. The One and Only Ivan is also a great film to show children as it teaches them empathy and promotes kindness and altruism. There is mention of death in The One and Only Ivan, and gunshots are heard.

I  rate The One and Only Ivan 4.5 stars out of 5 and recommend the film to children ages 8 to 18. The One and Only Ivan is coming to Disney Plus on August 21, 2020!

Looking for stylish Children’s Face Masks during this pandemic? Chic Tweak has you covered!

It’s still important to wear face coverings in sunny Southern California and I know not everyone agrees but being an Essential worker at my other job…I believe that it is very important. I work in a shelter with women and children and I wear a mask every time I go to work. My son is a teenager and he wears a face-covering whenever he leaves the house. It’s not a political statement. We really are in a pandemic. I am happy to learn about this wonderful website that sells the cutest face masks for children. Chic Tweak is definitely a website to check out. They are founded with love in NYC.

I like that they have designs for boys and for girls. I received a few samples of the ones for girls and they are so colorful, bright and stylish! I highly recommend!

More about Chic Tweak:
Chic Tweak is founded by Bindya Lulla as an extension of her luxury Bindya and Lulla brands. Bindya (an FIT success story) started her career in fashion as a specialist in scarves, shawls, and pashminas and the line quickly evolved from there. You can find Bindya and Lulla collection pieces on shelves at nearly all major retailers. Bindya wished to launch a third venture, one that served the ever-trendy, super sassy, and always inspired young gal – Chic Tweak.

Find them at https://www.chictweakny.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post, Images were also provided.