admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

5 Self Care Ideas for Busy Moms

May 1, 2022 by admin

For busy moms, it can often feel like there are not enough hours in a day to get everything done. Even more so, many moms are not in the habit of actively prioritizing self-care, as they spend so much time caring for others in their household and making sure everyone else’s needs are met that they forget to meet their own. When your schedule is packed and you are stressed trying to figure out how to get all of your errands, chores, work, and more done, it’s safe to assume that the last thing you are thinking about is how to pamper yourself. Although it can feel difficult to manage, self-care is even more important to those who are frequently operating on a busy schedule, as caring for yourself is a necessary part of relaxing and recharging so you can feel less stressed as you take on the day.

If you are a busy mom who cannot seem to squeeze in time for self-care in your busy schedule, don’t worry – here are 5 easy ways that you can care for yourself even on your busiest days.

1. Get Moving

Squeezing in even the smallest workout can have many benefits for your mental and physical health. If you don’t have time to hit the gym, go for a walk around the neighborhood, or do an at-home guided workout on YouTube after you put the kids to bed.

2. Treat Yourself

What is something that would make you feel good about your physical appearance? Whether it’s having a shopping spree at Ulta or getting weight loss injections from RCMC, changing up your physical appearance can give you a major confidence boost.

3. Journal

No matter how little time you have throughout the day for extra activities, you can always take a few minutes before bed to journal. Getting your thoughts out on paper is a great de-stressor and can help clear your mind out before you sleep so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

4. Make Time For Friends

When you’re overwhelmed with a busy schedule, it can be hard to find the motivation to break out of your routine and see friends, leading to feelings of isolation and stress. Taking just a few minutes each week to spend time with friends, whether it’s going out to lunch or talking on FaceTime, will improve your mood and your overall mental health.

5. Find a Comfort Show

Finding a TV show or podcast that brings you comfort and makes you happy is a great way to boost your mood, and this is something that you can enjoy at any time. Throw on your favorite show while you do chores around the house, make dinner, or wind down before bed.

Caring for yourself is important not only for you but for your entire family. It is important that you give yourself time to recharge and unwind so that you can be the best version of yourself for your kids and loved ones.

3 Tips for Taking Young Children on a Cruise

May 1, 2022 by admin

One of the best ideas for your next family vacation is a week-long cruise. Often overlooked as they are thought by many to be too expensive, cruises are a great way to spend time together as a family with most or all costs covered upfront and keeps all activities and amenities together in one central place. One major benefit of a cruise is that you get all of the entertainment of a normal vacation without worrying about additional transportation; you don’t need to drive to any restaurants, pools, theme parks, etc. from a hotel, and don’t need to worry about paying for parking. For an extra bit of luxury on a family vacation, consider chartering a jet from a company like Access Global to the destination your cruise is departing from.

Taking a cruise with young children can be stressful, so here are a few mom-approved tips to make sure your vacation is smooth sailing.

Research Entertainment Options

While many cruises have options for family-friendly entertainment or activities designed just for kids, some cruises are more family-friendly than others. Choosing an option like a Disney Cruise that is designed for children and their families will ensure that your children are included and able to be entertained the entire time they are on board. You should look into a cruise’s options for entertainment ahead of time, to ensure that they will appeal to your child. For example, some ships have kids clubs that feature a play area or video game station where children can interact with one another and play in the same room, whereas others have go-karting or rollerskating rinks onboard. Many cruises have performances like a circus or live music show, and others have character meet and greets with characters from their favorite shows, Think about the kinds of activities your child enjoys most, and choose a cruise accordingly.

Get the Right Dining Plan

Many cruises allow (or require) you to reserve specific meal times in advance. When doing so, it is helpful to consider your child’s behavior and eating habits. Try to plan your child’s meals around the activities they know they want to participate in, to avoid being in any time crunches or in a rush during what should be a relaxing trip. Also, be sure to pack lots of snacks. Although snacks are usually included in your cruise’s meal plan and the ship will likely have any food you desire, having your child’s favorite snacks on hand can come in handy during long waits for food or activities or early mornings/late nights when onboard cafes and stores might be closed.

Pack Light

Taking a cruise unfortunately means living in close quarters due to the small room size and lack of extra space onboard. While you want to make sure that you have everything you could need for a week of traveling, be careful not to overpack. Try to stick to basics, and plan to wear an outfit or two on board to save space. Also, keep in mind that if you forget something you end up needing, it is likely that it will be available in an onboard convenience store; although paying for something you have at home is frustrating, it avoids taking up space with things you might not end up using.

What Vitamins Are Good For Kids

April 26, 2022 by admin

Parents are always looking for vitamins that are good for their kids. It is important to make sure that your children are getting the right vitamins and minerals in order to grow and stay healthy. There are many different vitamins that are good for kids, and each one serves a different purpose. And it is almost impossible to feed your kid various required fruits and vegetables a day. So, in that case, to make sure that your kid is getting vitamins and nutrients properly, you can go for the organic gummy vitamins supplements that are found on the market nowadays. In this article, we will discuss some of the best vitamins for kids and what they do. We will also provide information on the sources of vitamins and the amount of each vitamin that is required for the growth and development of your kid.

Different types of vitamins

If you are like most parents, you want to make sure your children are getting the best possible nutrition. This includes ensuring they are taking vitamins and minerals that support good health. Some vitamins help promote growth and development, while others help to maintain a healthy immune system. It is important for parents to know which vitamins are essential for their children and to make sure they are getting the appropriate amount in their diet. Here is a list of some of the most important vitamins for kids, along with explanations of what they do and why they’re important.

Vitamins A

Vitamins are essential nutrients that the body needs to perform optimally. Vitamin A is a nutrient that is important for vision, reproduction, and cell growth. There are thirteen different vitamins, and each one has unique benefits for the body. Vitamin A is one of the more important nutrients, and it offers a range of benefits including improved vision, stronger bones, and better immunity. Source of Vitamin A: This vitamin is found in many different foods, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat.

Daily intake amount: Daily 400 micrograms of vitamin A is required for your children’s proper development.

Vitamin B12

Among thirteen essential vitamins, vitamin B12 is one of the most important for children. Here are some reasons why your kid needs vitamin B12:

It helps form red blood cells.
It maintains a healthy nervous system.
It also helps create DNA and is essential for proper brain function.
Vitamin B12 supports energy production and metabolism.

Source of Vitamin B12: It is important to make sure your child gets enough of this crucial vitamin by adding foods like beef, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, and cheese to their diet, or by taking a supplement if needed.

Daily intake amount: 1.2 micrograms of Vitamin B12 daily.

Vitamin C

The benefits of vitamins are vast and well-known. Vitamin C is important for your kid as it helps in the development and maintenance of bones, cartilage, teeth, and gums. Vitamin C is also essential for wound healing. A disease called scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C .

Sources of Vitamin C: Foods that are high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, and strawberries.

Daily intake amount: Kids need about 75 mg of vitamin C per day.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins that helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from food, which is essential for building strong bones and teeth. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a weakened immune system, poor growth, and even rickets (a bone disease caused by lack of vitamin D).

Sources of Vitamin D: Luckily, getting enough vitamin D is easy – your child can get it from sun exposure, foods fortified with vitamin D, liver, red meat, or supplements.

Daily intake amount: daily 800 milligrams of vitamin D is required for your kid’s body function to work properly.

Vitamin K

It is very important for every parent to ensure that their children get all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for their growth and development. One such vitamin that is often overlooked is Vitamin K. Here are some of the top reasons you should make sure your child gets enough Vitamin K:

1) It helps support healthy bones – One of the main roles of Vitamin K is to help with calcium absorption, which is important for developing strong bones.

2) It aids in wound healing – If your child sustains a cut or scrape, Vitamin K may help them heal faster. It also helps with blood clotting action.

3) It supports cardiovascular health – Studies have shown that Vitamin K can help decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Sources of Vitamin K: There are many sources of Vitamin K. The most common source is leafy green vegetables. Other sources include certain fruits, dairy products, and meat products. Each of these sources provides different levels of Vitamin K. Knowing which foods provide the most Vitamin K can help you ensure that you are getting enough of this important nutrient.

Daily intake amount: Per day 55 micrograms of Vitamin K is required for your kid.

Vitamins are important for kids and they should continue to receive their recommended dosages. While it is always best to get nutrients from food, there may be times when a vitamin supplement is necessary. Speak with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s nutrition and health.

Removing chewing gum from Upholstery and Carpets. Do’s and Don’ts !

March 29, 2022 by admin

Chewing gum, a tasty square of minty freshness. Also a nightmare if it gets itself entwined in your fabrics or carpet. It can be extremely difficult to remove from all surfaces, even hard surfaces. Don’t worry though we have the solution. Premium Clean can help guide you through the process of removing this sticky mess. Now a few items that you might already have lying around the house can be very useful for removing chewing gum some of the following:

Peanut butter

Wd40

Cubed ice

Olive oil

Eucalyptus oil

Method 1: The most commonly used method is Cubed ice, this method works best on chewing gum that has just been fused with the fabric, not so much if it has been fused deeply into the fabric’s fibbers.

You simply grab 4 or 5 cubes of ice and place them in a zip lock bag or wrap them in some kitchen roll. You need to hold this on the piece of gum until the gum is completely frozen. It is important that it is completely frozen, not just cold. Once completely frozen you can then take a butter knife and start to scrape the gum away from the fabrics fibbers. The chewing gum should start to peel away leaving little to no residue behind. If any large pieces of residue is left repeat the process as many times as required to completely remove all large fragments of the gum.

You may have some light residue left that can then be removed using a soapy cloth. Ensure to rinse the soap away from the area with a clean cloth once finished and allow it to dry naturally.

Method 2: Now unless most families will have a jar of peanut butter in their cupboards, believe it or not peanut butter can be very useful when removing chewing gum from fabrics, the natural oils in the peanut butter help to dissolve chewing gum from all fabrics. We would suggest teaming the ice cube method with this one, it just allows you to remove large pieces with the ice cubes first then focusing on the smaller parts using the peanut butter. However this method can be used on its own also.

To begin, apply a liberal amount of peanut butter to the chewing gum, approximately the same size as the piece of gum. Using your fingers start to rub the peanut butter into the chewing gum. Next use a butter knife or a plastic putty knife to gently begin scraping the gum up and away from the fibbers of the fabric, the natural oils will have loosened the chewing gums grip and it should all lift away with minimal effort. Again if any residue is left repeat the process. Once you’re happy with the removal, apply some soapy water to the area to remove any leftover oils in front of the peanut butter.

Method 3: Not as common as the other two items however many of you may have this item hiding in the shed or garage, Wd40 is another great item to remove chewing gum. Surprisingly i would say that this is the easiest thing to use to remove chewing gum from fabrics and carpets, the Wd40 also usually comes equipped with a handy straw. This allows you to spray it onto the exact area that you need with great accuracy. You can even get the straw under the gum helping to speed up the process. All you need to do is spray the chewing gum with the Wd40 and wait for a few minutes. Once a short time has passed you will be able to use your fingers to pull the chewing gum away from the fibbers. Once you are happy and have removed the chewing gum you can just wipe over the area with a soapy cloth to remove any remaining residue, this will also help keep your fabrics smelling fresh.

Money-Saving Tips for Large Families

March 19, 2022 by admin

Budgeting can be hard when you have a large family to provide for. Studies show that families are reluctant to have more than 2 children, citing finances as the biggest reason.

Here are a few money-saving tips for larger families.

Minimize Vehicles

Although having only one vehicle can sound stressful, or impossible, for parents who have to transport multiple children to events and activities on top of driving themselves to work, the money you would save on insurance, maintenance, and fuel just might be worth it.

Public transportation can save hundreds of dollars annually in comparison to fuel for cars, not to mention the elimination of the possibility of unplanned vehicle maintenance (which always seems to be necessary at the most inconvenient times). Taking public transportation or walking to work if possible can be cheaper than driving, and if you have friends whose children attend the same school or participate in the same activities as yours, arranging to carpool can be much easier than you might think. While having one vehicle might take some getting used to, it can save a ton of money.

Buy in Bulk

Investing in a Costco or Sam’s Club membership and buying groceries or other household items in bulk just might be worth it. Buying bulk amounts of non-perishable food items, beverages, and cleaning supplies or toiletries can save hundreds of dollars per year and will minimize your trips to the grocery store that put you at risk for impulse purchases.

Eat at Home

Preparing meals and eating at home is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to save money. The average household spends hundreds of dollars each month on fast food and restaurants when the very same meals can be prepared at home for a fraction of the cost. Try meal prep services like Lean Kitchen to help you save time getting meals together, and save dining out for special occasions.

Take Advantage of Second Hand Items

Take second-hand items like clothing and home goods from friends and family who are getting rid of these things. This is easy to do if you have friends with children close to the ages of your own. Thrifting or shopping at second-hand stores is also a good way to find deals on gently used items like clothing and toys. Plus, using second-hand items is good for the environment!

Consult a Financial Advisor

If you find it too difficult to stick to your monthly budget no matter how hard you try, it might be time to enlist the help of a professional. Meet with a financial advisor to create a budget that is realistic for the family and let them determine what is and is not working, and where effective improvements to your ways of budgeting can be made. Sticking to a budget is key to saving money and alleviating financial stress!