3 Kids and Us

6 Tips for Taking Your Child to Their First Concert

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Everyone remembers their first concert. The excitement, the noise, the sights, the sounds, the smells –– it’s a big moment for many adolescents. As a parent, it’s important that you do everything possible to ensure that your kid has a fantastic time without experiencing any of the pitfalls associated with a live music act. With that in mind, here are six tips you can use to guarantee that your child’s first concert is memorable for all the right reasons. Check them out here:

Buy Good Seats

Unless your child is especially tall for their age, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to see over grown-adults standing up in a crowd. Therefore, it’s a smart play to shell out a little extra to get good seats so they’ll be able to see the show without interruption. No one wants to spend two hours staring at the back of some stranger’s head.

Listen to the Artist

If you haven’t listened to the band that your child is going to see, take some time to check out their latest album. Not only is this an easy way to connect with your child, but it will let you determine if the concert is appropriate for their age.

Bring Ear Plugs

Suffice it to say that rock concerts can be extremely loud affairs. So don’t forget to bring ear plugs for yourself and your child. Note, young children in particular have sensitive ears!

Give them Some Space

If your child is in their teens and wants to go to a concert with their friends, then it’s a good idea to give them some space. It’s okay to keep an eye on them from a distance, but there’s no need to cramp their style while they’re enjoying their favorite band.

Have Cash on Hand

Think concert tickets are expensive? Then just wait until you get to the actual venue. Refreshments are sure to set you back a good amount, and artist merchandise can range from $40-$80 for t-shirts and jackets. Yet, it’s highly likely that many kids will want a souvenir from their first concert –– so be prepared for this eventuality. Now is not the time to teach them a lesson about saving money.

Be Safe 

At the end of the day, a kid’s first concert should be a fun, positive experience. However, parents should also be aware of any potentially harmful situations that may occur at a concert venue. Don’t let your kids out of your sight, and teach them to respect boundaries. (Crowd control barriers are in place for a reason!) Going to a concert for the first time will be a blast for your child, but always remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

4 Health Tips for New Parents

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Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. And while it is extremely rewarding, it can also be quite stressful, time-consuming, and frustrating. As such, it’s not surprising that many new parents struggle to balance their new responsibilities with a healthy lifestyle. After all, it’s not easy taking care of a newborn 24/7, 365. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to ensure that you maintain healthy habits without neglecting any of your new parental obligations. Check out our top four health tips for new parents here:

Make Time to Exercise

Time management is a theme that we’ll revisit throughout this piece. As one can imagine, caring for an infant requires lots of time and attention. Given that fact, it’s important for new parents to make the most of the free time they do have available. Scheduling out a few times a week to get in a solid workout can be very beneficial. Plus, not only is exercising good for your physical well-being, but a vigorous workout can also help relieve stress. Lastly, don’t think twice about taking a walk with your little one in their stroller. Just getting up and moving around can provide a big boost to your energy and morale!

Meal Prep

Again, it’s unlikely that new moms and dads will have lots of time on their hands to cook healthy and delicious meals every single day. That’s why it’s so important to prepare meals at the beginning of the week so that you can grab and go as you need to. The good news is that it’s possible to find plenty of easy, healthy recipes that also taste great.

Speak with Your Doctor

New parents, understandably, place a priority on the health of their children. However, while you may feel like you’re constantly running back and forth between your home and the pediatrician’s for months at a time, it’s imperative not to forget about your own well-being. Don’t neglect treatment plans or doctor’s appointments! Medical professionals offer a huge variety of beneficial services –– from stem cell back injections to regular check-ups. So call up your doctor if it’s been a few months since your last appointment.

Remember to Breathe

Being a parent is hectic. It’s worth keeping in mind that while life moves fast, you can’t ever go back. Therefore, do your best to enjoy the experience of parenthood as it unfolds. Otherwise, you could end up missing out on a special moment! To conclude, don’t feel bad about asking others for help from time to time. Getting a family member or close friend to babysit for you will give you an opportunity to unwind and relax.

5 Ways Moms Can Make the Most of their Free Time

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For moms, free time is as precious as gold. After all, between raising a child, maintaining a career, and keeping up with social obligations, mothers tend not to have a lot of time to themselves. Yet, it’s important for hard-working moms to give themselves a break every once in a while. Everyone needs time to relax and unwind, and if you don’t look after yourself, no one will. With that in mind, today we’ll look at five ways moms can make the most of their free time so they can come back refreshed and energized:

Find a Trustworthy Sitter

Sometimes moms are lucky to have a support group of friends and family members who are more than happy to step in and babysit when they need a night off. However, other parents aren’t so fortunate. Regardless, it’s imperative to find a certified care centre through platforms like Toddle, or enlist a babysitter who you can trust to handle any situation. The last thing you want to do with your precious time off is to spend it worrying or constantly checking in on your little one.

Catch up With Old Friends

One unfortunate reality of parenthood is that moms may not get to spend as much time with their friends as they used to. This is particularly true for friends and acquaintances who don’t have kids. As such, one of the best ways moms can enjoy their time off is to catch up with old friends. Head to a bar, see an R-rated movie, and indulge in the company of other adults.

Turn Down the Volume

Motherhood is plagued by noise pollution. Tantrums, blaring TVs, mind-numbing children’s songs –– they all can work to get on the nerves of stressed-out parents. What better way to unwind, then, than by taking in some much-deserved quiet time. Spending a few hours in your local library, for instance, will let you take it easy in peaceful silence.

Prepare for the Future

Have a big family trip on the horizon? Or are you thinking about making a career change? If you’ve got a pressing event coming up soon, taking a day to yourself to weigh your options and prepare for the future can be hugely beneficial.

Chill Out!

Life in general –– and motherhood specifically –– is often tumultuous and frustrating. So do your best to chill out and relax how you see fit when you manage to wrangle some free time. Hit your local skin care clinic, get a massage, visit a spa, or just kick back on the couch. Remember, this day is all about you and what you want.

4 Things Most Expecting Mothers Don’t Know –– But Should

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Motherhood is many things. It’s a blessing, a burden, a challenge, a joy, and a monumentally life-changing experience. However, because pregnancy, childbirth, and child care are such nuanced and complicated subjects, it’s fairly easy for expecting mothers to miss out on some crucial information along the way. Indeed, there are a number of issues that moms might not be aware of –– but really ought to know about. Thankfully, today we’ll list four of those items so that you can be better prepared for the rigors of motherhood. Check them out here:

You May not Get Pregnancy Cravings

We’ll come back to this theme a lot here, so it’s important to note that no two pregnancies are the same. To wit, one surprising factoid about pregnancy relates to the wacky food cravings that accompany it. Except, not all women have pregnancy cravings. Similarly, not all women experience morning sickness. And those that do, don’t necessarily experience it in the “morning.”

Gestation Periods are Not Exact

Everyone knows that pregnancy lasts nine months. However, that number is really quite unscientific. Sure, nine months is a decent guideline, but the reality is that the “typical” pregnancy length falls within a span of 37 days. That’s over a month of variance. The takeaway here is not to get too nervous or stressed about your delivery date if it’s a little earlier –– or later –– than what you might’ve anticipated.

Exercise During Pregnancy is Beneficial

It’s easy to see why expecting mothers might feel hesitant about exercising during pregnancy. Yet, the reality is that most women can and should exercise during their pregnancy. Light workouts, yoga, swimming, and other forms of exercise can ease joint pain and improve mood. It is worth noting though, that some forms of exercise –– like heavy lifting or particularly strenuous activity –– are not recommended for pregnant women. Lastly, doctors may advise some women to refrain from most or all forms of exercise due to increased risk of complications.

You Need to Get Tested –– Early & Often

Pregnant women need to visit with their doctor a lot. It’s not unreasonable for a pregnant woman to visit her M.D. 6-10 times during her term. Plus, there are a number of tests that doctors may need to perform to ensure that pregnant women and their children are healthy. Medical professionals may use tools like blood collection sets to conduct tests for potentially infectious diseases, for example.

Conclusion

As we’ve mentioned above, it’s very difficult to predict what a “normal” pregnancy will look like. Thankfully, educating yourself now can help you roll with the punches and prepare yourself for the birth of your baby. So keep this page handy moving forward.

Surrogacy in Ukraine. Cost of surrogacy and Law

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IVF (in vitro fertilization) along with surrogacy allows many couples to become happy parents. Those innovative medical techniques are great solutions for many families experiencing problems with conceiving and carrying a baby until birth in the traditional way. Also, some couples prefer to use certain medical methods due to extensive busyness and other reasons unrelated to the health condition.

Currently, American surrogacy in Ukraine is getting more and more popular because it is possible to use high-quality medical services at reasonable prices. More information on this topic is provided in this article.

Is Surrogacy Legal in Ukraine?

All fertility treatments in this country are regulated by a range of Ukrainian laws, such as The Law on Health Fundamentals of Ukraine as well as the Family and Civil Codes. Generally, surrogacy in Ukraine is allowed by law, which means that couples from the USA can find a surrogate mother in this country and use the services of professional medical centers, such as IVF group. This is one of the reasons, which makes this country attractive for international residents. Also, Ukraine is a large country with many women matching the main requirements:

  • being between 25 and 35 years old;
  • being healthy physically and mentally;
  • having at least one child;
  • having no contradictions for pregnancy.

This means that it will not be difficult to find a surrogate mother.

Another serious reason to order IVF and surrogacy in a Ukrainian medical center is relatively low costs. More information on that is provided in the section below.

How Much Does It Cost?

Many international couples find the services of IVF clinics in this country quite cheap. Although the rates depend on the medical center and program you choose, generally, the costs of IVF in Ukraine are 85% less than in the USA or other countries in Western Europe.

Usually, international couples find it much more beneficial to travel to Ukraine and cover all expenses for the procedure and living in the country than ordering the same services in the USA.

How to Find the Best Clinic?

While low prices are one of the reasons why people travel to Ukraine for an IVF procedure and surrogate mother, there are also other factors to consider for ensuring your success, including the following:

  • For how long the clinic has been operating?
  • Will it provide you with different packages to choose from?
  • Are there doctors and other medical staff speaking English?
  • Where is the clinic located?
  • What results have they achieved?
  • Do they provide any guarantees?

Conclusion

If you are looking for high-quality and affordable medical services for IVF procedures as well as surrogacy, you should definitely consider going to Ukraine. It is absolutely legal to use such services in this country, and there are reliable fertility specialists and clinics that you can choose from.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!