Female Forum

How to Become a Freelancer Writer

2009-11-06T10:00:36+00:00

Wake up. Go to work. Come home. Eat dinner. Sleep. Do it again.

Women all over the world often feel as though they are losing themselves in the day to day ritual of living in the working world. We often believe we need to keep up with the men in our lives whilst equally supporting the family and frankly, it’s almost impossible to keep up a home without two incomes these days. However, working women - many of whom are working mothers - are finding ways to stay at home and work at the same time.

What if you could be home with your kids all day? Would you be willing to chance it all? Many are taking that chance every day, for the opportunity to work at home as a freelance writer.

Leaving a full-time job is often the biggest leap of faith that a working woman can make, but many of us brave women do it each year. We succeed, too, with the help of other entrepreneurs and online businesswomen who set a shining example for those eager to make the leap from office to home.

Many freelance writers began their career by working part-time from home, in the evening after work or on the weekends. If you are reliable and produce quality work, it doesn’t take long to amass enough contacts to quickly move up.

Here are a few of the different types of writing that freelancers produce:

Be a Website Content Writer

It’s hard to imagine all that goes into putting together a website until you break it down into several categories. A fully functioning site for a small to medium business will require webmasters, graphic artists, writers, and perhaps even a marketing team. Most websites revolve around offering of a product or service, which requires descriptive copy for the site visitor.

Content writers develop the pages of written material that show up on the various pages of a website. This includes sections such as FAQs, About Us, and the pages that have the descriptions of services and products offered. Most website owners will use freelance content writers to create the content for their site.

Writing in this capacity pays a bit differently than some other freelancing jobs. Most companies will pay writers an hourly fee for working on their website content. Depending on the size of the job, a flat fee may also be offered. Generally, website content writers do not work on a per word fee.

Be an Article Writer

Many new freelance writers will mistakenly call themselves content writers, when the majority of their assignments are informational articles. While it’s true that these articles may be posted in their entirety on a webpage - making them website content - there are marked differences between the two.

Informational articles often answer questions that visitors to a site are likely to have. For instance, it’s not uncommon to find 400-word pieces on ‘How to Change Your Oil in 3 Easy Steps,’ or ‘Choose the Best Bathing Suit for Your Body’. These articles are not always used on websites, either. They are often submitted to article directories, and the website owner links to their site from the directory where the article is found. It’s marketing without taking up precious room on a website.

Article writers are often paid by the word. Beginning freelance writers may have to start at a range of 2cents/word. Reliable and quality writers will have no problem quickly moving up to the 10cents/word or more range.

Be a Sales Copywriter

Copywriters are also often confused with other types of freelance writers. Content writers are said to write website ‘copy’, but true copywriters produce pages of sales material. We’ve all seen them. Those webpages that exist solely to sell an item, usually something high priced such as software, a seat at a seminar, or membership of a marketing club.

Sales page writers require special skills. With one page of content in which to produce a sale, the words chosen to direct to the reader are very important. There is also use of highlighting, colour, and images - all of which can be overdone if special care is not taken. There are often no outbound or navigation links, and the purpose is to keep the reader on that one page, scrolling to the bottom and clicking ‘Buy Now’.

Sales copywriters can make quite a bit of money compared to other writers. Top marketers may pay a high quality freelance writer up to $300 to write a spectacular sales page. They’re able to do this because a quality page will bring them much more return on their investment. However, there may not be as much copywriting work available compared to article writing.

Be a Press Release Writer

There’s a special spot in the writing world for press release writers. Some freelancers will write any kind of project handed to them, but many freelance writers who write press releases stick with media writing. A press release is written for one of a few reasons: a new business opening, a special event hosted by a business or organisation, or changes within a company that merit a media-wide announcement.

Press releases are written with a specific formula in mind. They have a format and style completely different than that of regular web content, or information articles. They take time and experience to be perfected by a writer. Because these releases are often written for very well known businesses, they must be high quality and ready to deliver to press release distribution services.

For these reasons, press release writers are often charging in the $300 range per release. Freelance writers are free to set their own fees, but this seems to be the current industry standard. New writers may charge considerably less to show what they’re capable of, though businesses paying for a quality press release writer may be suspicious of overly low fees.

If you are considering testing the freelancing waters, try your hand at writing. With a computer, internet connection, and a basic knowledge of English usage and grammar, it’s easy to get started - even while working full-time.

How to Take Care of Your Soft Contact Lenses

2009-11-05T14:38:45+00:00

Soft contact lenses are a wonderful thing to have in this day and age. When contacts first came out, they were hard, uncomfortable, expensive, and difficult to take care of. Advances in eye wear technology have brought contact lenses a long way.

There are now brands that offer lenses in a wide array of colours. There are lenses available for those with astigmatism, and there are even contacts with bifocals for those who need them to read.

No matter what kind of contact lenses you might wear, there are a few things you need to know about how to properly care for them. Doing so will keep you seeing well and protect the health of your eyes.

How to Clean Contact Lenses

There are many cleaning solutions on the market today. Your eye doctor will most likely recommend a certain brand depending on which contacts you wear. It’s important to follow the recommendations and directions of your eye care professional. They are trained to know how to prevent eye infections and diseases, which can be easily acquired through the wear of contact lenses.

Most contact lens cleansers are a ‘no rub’ solution. In the old days, you would need to thoroughly rub your lenses on the palm of your hand, rinse them, and soak them in solution for at least 6 hours overnight. Now, you can pop them into the storage case with some solution and rinse them off thoroughly before putting them on the next day.

Try not to rinse your contact lenses with plain tap water. In a pinch it will do. For instance, you may get a speck of dirt in your eye while out of the house. If you need to remove your contacts in this situation, water will work. However, regular water can harbour bacteria that can cause infection and irritation in your eyes.

Wearing Your Lenses for the Right Length of Time

Your eye care professional will let you know the proper length of time to wear your particular brand of contacts. Some are designed for daily use, meaning they are disposed of at the end of the day. Others can last up to a month if they are not worn overnight while sleeping. It is never recommended to wear contact lenses all night as they should spend at least 6 hours a day soaking in cleaning solution to remove protein buildup.

Typically, contact lenses are worn for two weeks at a time. By then, they have lost their ability to retain the proper shape and stay fitted against your eye. In addition, they lose their comfort after so many days of buildup and cleaning. You also need to change out the lenses often so that you don’t expose your eyes to certain bacteria. The cleaning solutions may not remove everything from your lenses, and the longer you wear them, the more you put your eyes at risk for disease.

Besides wearing your lenses for the proper length of time, you need to be concerned with just plain wearing them properly. Never wear someone else’s lenses, even if they come from an unopened package. Your prescription is unique to you. Also, most lenses now come with a “marker” on them, which when held up to the light will help you determine if your contacts are inside out. Hold your lens up to the light before inserting them to ensure you are putting them in correctly.

Taking Care of Yourself to Avoid Eye Problems

There is more to wearing contacts than taking care of the lenses themselves. It is also very important that you take care of yourself in order to protect your eyes and their health. Eye care professionals can give you tips and ideas on how to maintain proper eye health, but if you are wearing contacts there are a couple basics to know.

If you have worn contacts for some time, you may have noticed that when your eyes are dry it is harder to see. Vision is blurry and the contacts become uncomfortable. Chronic dry eyes is a problem for many people, and ideally you should be wearing glasses instead of contacts. However, if you are having this problem and are wearing contacts, the number one thing to remember is to stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual, especially in the warmer months.

Keeping moisturising drops with you at all times also helps when your eyes get dry. However, if you are dehydrated, those drops will only work for so long. For very chronic cases, some doctors will recommend a daily supplement of flax seed oil or fish oil. A small amount will go a long way in keeping your bodily fluids replenished, including the tears in your eyes. Proper hydration will protect your eye health, protect the life of your contact lenses, and make your vision through them clearer than you imagined.

Packing for a Trip: Making the Most of Your Allotted Space

2009-10-28T10:00:28+00:00

Getting ready to go on holiday can be lots of fun, but a lot of work. Making sure that you have everything you need to be comfortable and prepared for everything on your vacation is tough, especially if you are dealing with baggage restrictions on airlines or space issues on a road trip.

While your holiday must-haves will vary, here are some tips that will help you to make the most of your space and ensure that you don’t leave anything important behind.

Dealing with Airline Baggage Restrictions

Packing for trips can be made difficult by the baggage restrictions of airlines. In most cases, you are only allowed two checked bags per person, but this number may vary by destination and airline. You may be able to check additional items, but at a very high cost. The weight of these bags must also be taken into consideration.

Packing light can mean a couple of different things. Space and weight are both major issues when dealing with airline travel. Keep in mind also that you may want to bring home souvenirs from your trip. Even if you meet the restrictions on the way, coming home you’ll be faced with another hurdle. One way to handle this problem is to only pack one smaller suitcase with clothing. Place this inside a larger suitcase, and fill the areas around it with your shoes, accessories, and toiletries. On your return trip, you will have the majority of your large suitcase for souvenirs and the results of your shopping excursions.

Take full advantage of your carry-on space. Pack one or two changes of clothes in this bag - this gives you a change of clothes should your baggage get lost, plus extra space in your checked baggage. Be sure that the items you pack in your carry-on meet the guidelines of the airline otherwise you will be required to check the bag in.

Clothing Options

Depending on your destination, choose your clothes carefully. Selecting a few mix and match outfits in lighter, travel-friendly fabrics can help to reduce the amount of clothing that you need to pack. These lighter weight materials can be washed out in a sink and hung over the shower rod for repeated wear during your trip if necessary. Not only that, but they are often wrinkle resistant, eliminating the need to bring along an iron or use the one provided by your hotel.

When you need to pack for colder climates, choose coats and sweaters that you can wear with several outfits. While it might be tempting to pack a different coat or sweater to coordinate with each outfit, this can take up major space and weight in your bags. Packing layers, such as long sleeved tees and turtlenecks that can be worn under several different outfits is a good way to conserve valuable suitcase space.

Toiletries and Accessories

While you might have a specific brand of hair care, soap, or body wash that you prefer, leave these products at home and use the freebies provided by the hotel. Unless you have health reasons for using a specific brand of personal care products, leave the extra room in your bags for other things.

If you must bring along you own products, use refillable travel sized bottles and just bring a small amount of your favourite products. This will save lots of space over packing a full sized bottle, plus you’ll save money over buying sample sized products that can be quite costly when volume is considered.

Only pack one or two pairs of shoes that can be worn with several different outfits. Shoes can take up a lot of space, and odds are most of them won’t be the most comfortable choices. One comfortable pair for walking and a second pair for dressing up should be all you need to take you through your vacation.

Packing for Children

Getting the kids ready for a trip can be even more difficult than packing for yourself, especially when dealing with infants and toddlers. You need to think about extra clothing changes from spills and messes, plus nappies/diapers, wipes, and other essential gear. Take along only what you need to get through the first couple of days, then purchase the rest at your destination.

With older children, supervise their packing to make sure that they are making the best use of their space. Some children may forego packing underwear just to make room for a few more video games! Give them a checklist of must-pack items, then allow them to fill any additional space with toys and games.

On a road trip, allocate one bag for the children to put books, toys, and other items to entertain themselves with on the drive. Keep a second bag with a change of clothes for everyone, baby changing supplies (if applicable), snacks, and drinks. This will keep the kids busy and prevent you from needing to dig through the bags in the trunk to find extra clothing and other necessities along the way.

Packing smart is extremely important, whether you are going solo or travelling with the entire family. Be sure that you know what your baggage and space limitations are ahead of time and make wise choices about what you pack for your trip. Even when packing space is at a minimum, there are still plenty of options that can make your vacation comfortable and enjoyable.

Choosing the Best Care Provider for Your Pregnancy

2009-10-22T10:00:12+00:00

Many times we women take more care and thought into putting together an outfit to wear or finding a pair of shoes than we do choosing a care provider. However, when it comes to your pregnancy, you need to spend a little more time than flipping through a phone book or sifting through the approved list from your medical coverage.

The care provider you choose for your pregnancy will be one that you not only feel comfortable with but also feel that he or she is the best person to help you bring your baby into this world.

What Are You Looking For in a Care Provider?

Before you can start interviewing potential care providers, you must ask yourself what you are looking for in your pregnancy care. Do you want someone that you get along well with, would you prefer to be in as much control of your care as possible? Consider the type of setting you want to have your baby in as well; not all care providers have the same permissions when it comes to hospitals and birthing centers. The level of involvement you want in terms of the decision making in your pregnancy care, labor and delivery will weigh in heavily on the type of care provider you choose.

Care Provider Options

There are four main care providers; Obstetrician (OB), Family Physician, Certified Nurse Midwife, and Perinatologist. Each one of these care providers bring a certain level of experience and permissions with them when it comes to how they practice, where they practice and your level of involvement during the process.

Obstetricians – Most women (about 95 percent) choose an OB for their care. An OB provides prenatal and postnatal care, and is capable of delivering babies naturally or via Cesarean Section. Most OBs practice in a hospital or birthing center, though a few are beginning to deliver in home settings as well.

Perinatologists – These doctors are similar in that they are OBs as they provide similar care but they specialize in high risk pregnancies. These doctors are affiliated with hospitals and nurseries that offer a high level of care or children’s hospitals. Most pregnancies are not high risk but should yours be one, the care provider you choose may refer you to a Perinatologist for the duration of your pregnancy.

Family Physician – At one point in history, the family physician would be the one who followed your pregnancy care. However, more family physicians are choosing not to provide prenatal care although they will likely work closely with an OB for any surgical procedures or team care protocol, and inside a hospital setting.

Certified Nurse Midwife – A CNM is becoming a widely popular choice for women today. They are nurses that have had special certification and training in the obstetrics field and aid in the labor and delivery of babies. They may be able to practice in a hospital setting, home birth or birthing center depending on their certification and licenses.

The Interview Process for Care Providers

After you’ve chosen a few care providers to meet and talk with in person, it’s time to do the legwork in order to learn more about your prospects and compile your list of questions for the interview. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the interview are talking with the nurses and support staff that work closely with the care provider. Do a background check on the care provider to find out their credentials, past practices, internships, and understudies. Take this information with you when you meet the care providers.

During the interview consider how you feel in the care provider’s company. Do they make you feel at ease? What about your partner? Do they share your views about your care and are they willing to honor your wishes for labor or delivery?

Take time to investigate the hospital or birthing center they have permissions in. What are your feelings about the facilities? How about the staff? Remember that these people will be in charge of making sure you and your baby get the best possible care; can they give it to you? When you’re evaluating the care providers you interview, be sure to ask who fills in for them if they aren’t available - if there is an emergency, how are they able to be reached?

When it comes down to choosing a care provider for your pregnancy make sure that you’ve looked at your options carefully and have found a provider that can give quality care, will listen to your concerns and answer your questions to your satisfaction. Your baby’s health (and your own) depend on a provider that is the right fit for you.

Boost Your Dating Confidence

2009-10-20T16:14:54+00:00

No matter how long you’ve been on the dating scene there will come a time when even the most suave person will be knocked for a loop and off their pedestal in the dating world. Perhaps you were stood up, not called back, or even openly dismissed in front of friends.

In an effort to keep you on top of your game and handle anything, or anyone that comes your way, get a primer on staying self-assured even when you’re feeling two feet tall.

Forget about the past

When you’re down and your dating mojo has been compromised it’s easy to look on the darker side of things and focus on all of the ways things have gone wrong. This kind of negative thinking will only serve to keep your self-assurance below the surface and prevent you from getting back in the ring. Rather than focus on the things that haven’t turned out the way you wanted, put your attention to the things that you’ve done right or have worked out well for you. If it helps you, make a list and refer to it so that when you’re feeling low about the dating pool, you have something to bring you back up to the surface again.

Show it even when you’re not feeling it

Even if you can put the past where it belongs and move into the here and now, you will likely still struggle with confidence at one point or another. If you’ve ever wondered how other people seem to carry off charm and pizazz as though it’s second nature, understand this little hint; everyone fakes confidence at one point or another. Everyone has an off day or gets cold feet when it comes to dating and meeting new people. These are the times when your nerves cant get the better of you - now you need to act confident in order to be confident. Your body language will be an immediate giveaway for how you are really feeling. Stand up straight and smile!

If you feel you need an extra confidence boost, give yourself a pep talk before leaving to go out. Tell yourself how good you look but don’t give yourself lip service. Believe it and own the image of you walking into a crowded room with all heads turning to look and immediately being drawn to you. The power of positive thinking and mental imagery can help boost your morale when you’re not feeling your own appeal.

Make yourself over

New shoes, a haircut, some fresh makeup; nothing beats a makeover as an immediate mood booster. Even if you just opt for a mini makeover or visit the cosmetics girl for an updated look and new lipstick, your confidence will be easy for everyone to see. It’s an internal meets external lift that the makeover has over us. Our psychological thought process changes to match how the outside looks. Even if you’re only purchasing a new dress or outfit for your evening out, the effect it will have on your attitude and self worth will be priceless.

Online confidence

Not everyone is ready for the real world dating scene. Some women, who tend to be shyer and stand back in a crowd, may do well with some confidence lifters from online communities. The online dating scene is booming and can be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to finding your voice and confidence in a world full of single people. Don’t discount the effects of online dating; many people find success and happiness through meeting singles online. Before you dive head first into online dating as a way to get over self-esteem issues, think about what you hope to gain from it. Are you looking for Mr. Right behind a computer monitor or are you hoping to feel more comfortable meeting new people? Once you have the answer, feel free to create a profile, upload a picture or two and tell the world who you are.

Finally, think about the expectations you have when it comes to dating. Many people expect that they will meet the right person the first time out or that they will find love at first sight. While that might happen for a small percentage of people, the vast majority go through a number of trials and tribulations before finding the right person.

Be realistic about what you expect and who you expect to meet. Expect that dates will not always go the way you planned. Even if you talk, email or text the person for weeks before finally meeting for a date you may be surprised (and not in a good way) by who’s on the other end of the phone or computer. He may not be Mr. Right and you may discover that he’s not even Mr. Right Now. Accept that things aren’t going to always be perfect and your confidence will work with the ebb and flow of the dating world.

Advance Your Career with Confidence

2009-10-16T10:00:53+00:00

Career advancement for women is very important, but it seems few women actually know how to go after it. Many women end up working the same job for many years, with hardly any pay raises or increase in benefits. Women have so many different things in their lives that sometimes career advancement takes a back seat behind other life goals such as family and children.

Here are some simple strategies that you can employ to ensure that you remain completive in the work place.

Know who you are. Self-confidence is perhaps the number one difference between a successful career person and a non-successful career person. Being confident in yourself will make others confident in you, too. The first steps to becoming confident are to recognise what you can do, who you are in life, and where you want to go. Knowing who you are will help you better identify the paths that you want to take in life.

Know what skills you bring. Knowing what unique skills you have will help you become more confident in your work environment. Make a list of all of the tasks and projects that you complete at work. Are there any skills that you have that others do not? Knowing skills that few people have is a great way to achieve career advancement. Whenever possible, volunteer for additional projects or to learn new processes.

Know where you want to be. It is important that you have a clear career goal. Determine where you would like to be in five and ten years. If that goal cannot be achieved through your current job, then it might be time to move on. If your dream job is in another field then consider taking steps to alter your skills so that you can have the job you really want. The only person you are hurting by working a job you do not like is yourself.

Do not allow others to put you down. Some women in corporate settings have a tendency to put other women down. Do not allow others to take you for granted. Make sure you stand up for yourself with confidence. You bring a unique set of tools to your workplace and everything that you do has value. Make sure others in the workplace see you performing that valued work.

Make sure others know your worth. Your marketable skills are what will advance your career. However, if no one knows about the things that you can do, they will be much less likely to offer you additional responsibilities and promotions. Whenever possible remind coworkers in a polite way what unique and valued services you offer to the workplace.

Keep your skills current. When you have been working in a job for many years, it is easy to become complacent in the work that occurs. It is easy to get set into a routine and never vary from those usual tasks. However, to advance a career, it is necessary to push the boundaries of the normal work tasks. An easy way to do this is to keep on top of new ways to complete tasks. If there are new programs at work, make sure you are one of the first to learn them. In most business settings, there are additional training courses and certifications that can be taken on a regular basis that will help keep skills current. It is also very important to know how to work with the computers and other technologies in your workplace.

Know your worth. An important part of confident career advancement is the knowledge of how much your services are worth. It can be very advantageous to discover what other professionals in your field are making across the country. Employers normally try to pay the least amount they can for any job, so it is important that you take no less than what your services are actually worth. If an employer will not pay you what you are worth, then it is probably time to move on.

Confident career advancement takes a wide variety of performance, knowledge and confidence. To advance to a new position you need to be very competitive. With the knowledge of what you can do and what you are truly worth, you can become much more competitive in the work place. Acquiring new skills will also keep you ahead of others in your field. Still, one of the most important aspects of career advancement is confidence in yourself. You bring valuable services to your workplace. Do not allow them to take advantage of what you offer.

The Benefits of an Organic Diet

2009-10-13T17:51:59+00:00

Eating well is something that is on the minds of many, as is reducing their personal negative impact on the environment. There are many different approaches that can be taken with both of these issues, but only one that can make a difference to both. An organic diet has many health benefits and can help to reduce your personal impact on the environment.

What are organic foods?

Organic foods are those that are produced and processed in only the most natural ways. The growing process is free of chemical pesticides, certain fertilisers, and other dangerous processes. Processed organic foods only use ingredients that are produced organically. The standards for labelling foods as organic are controlled by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs in the UK and the Department of Agriculture in the US. Foods carrying organic labelling must meet the qualifications set out by these agencies in order to carry their seal of approval. There are several levels of organic certification, so read labels carefully to ensure that you know exactly what you are purchasing.

The health benefits of eating organic foods

There are many health benefits associated with eating an organic diet, most due to the lack of chemical agents and hormones that are often found in a traditional diet. Some health experts believe that many physical ailments are caused or exacerbated by the chemicals and hormones that we ingest in our daily food intake. Some of these chemicals and additives have been proven to be carcinogenic, while others are synthetic hormones and antibiotics given to animals that can cause severe imbalances and health issues in humans.

A fully organic diet removes all of these dangerous components from your daily food regimen, allowing your body to receive the nutrients that naturally occur in the foods that you eat and preventing your body from being exposed to dangerous chemicals and excessive hormones and medications. Organic foods also have naturally higher levels of antioxidants and other essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to prevent illness and disease. Studies have shown that those eating an organic or mostly organic diet have stronger immune systems, fewer instances of serious illness and disease, and generally recover faster when they have a physical illness or ailment.

In general, those who eat organically have a more balanced diet, with healthier foods included. As the foods that are often associated with obesity, heart disease, and other health problems simply do not come in an organic form, those choosing an organic diet have a reduced likelihood of developing these problems.

Environmental impact of buying or growing organic food

Beyond the health impact that organic foods have on humans, there are many environmental benefits that organic food growing and animal raising practices offer. Pesticides have a far-reaching impact on the earth, contaminating groundwater and soil and polluting the air and food sources for wild animals. Even feeding hormones and antibiotics to livestock can send these substances into ground water, as they will be absorbed by the soil from the animal’s waste.

Even beyond the contamination that is a product of non-organic farming, those choosing to grow and raise food sources through natural, organic methods are also providing help to the environment. The variety of plants grown can work to improve the overall air and water quality of the earth.

One of the best things about raising animals organically is the quality of life and health of livestock. Though they are being raised to be food sources, organic livestock are not fed hormones and antibiotics simply to give the farmer or company the biggest ‘bang for their buck’. The animals are healthier and more nutritious for consumers, though they may not produce as much income per animal for the grower.

How you choose to do your grocery shopping or grow your gardens is strictly a personal decision; however, with all of the wonderful benefits that are offered by an organic lifestyle, many are turning in this direction. Granted the expense may be a bit higher when buying organics in stores and your veggie gardens may not product prize-winning sized harvests, but the physical and environmental benefits are well worth the small price paid. Take a long look at the foods that you are eating and feeding to your family and see if you are offering them food choices that will promote both a healthy lifestyle and a healthy planet.

Simple Fall Decorating Ideas for the Home

2009-10-09T10:00:16+00:00

Autumn is upon us and with that comes a reminder that the earth is preparing for a time of hibernation and rest until the spring when all that is wonderful about nature is new again. With the changing of the leaves, the approaching holidays and children in full swing at school, there is little time left in the year to enjoy before we usher the old out and the new in.

Before the year closes, take the time to update your home to reflect the changes Mother Nature is making outside. Using what the earth has provided, you can bring the beauty of autumn inside your home and create a fresh, warm and inviting look for yourself and anyone who calls upon you this season.

Fun with painting

There are many things that you can apply a little paint or decoupage sealer to in order to create new look on plain and ordinary things. A few of the things you can use are:

* Pumpkins
* Gourds
* Plastic fruits
* Glass
* Pine cones

For instance, cover a pumpkin or gourd with a clear sealer such as Mod Podge and then roll it in gold or silver glitter. Once the pumpkin or gourd is dry, place it in a window and watch the glitter sparkle from the sun. The same can be done using plastic fruits and pine cones. After allowing them to dry, place them in a decorative bowl for an inviting fall table centrepiece.

Glass vases can be painted with stencils. You can purchase stencils from a craft store or trace fallen leaves onto newsprint and then cut them out. Cover your glass vase with the newsprint and then paint the places where you have cut out the leaf stencils. After the paint has dried, you can fill the vases with flowers, dried berries, or even apple or pumpkin scented pot-pourri. Place the vases in windows, on mantle pieces or as a centrepiece with sprigs of flowers or twigs at the base.

Wrap it up

Boxes of all sizes are the perfect complement to autumn decorating. If you are extremely crafty, you can make your own fall wrapping paper from plain brown paper (even the back of a brown paper bag will do). Using rubber stamps or homemade ones, stamp patterns of leaves or flowers on the paper; let them dry and then wrap the boxes. Tie twine around them and finish with dried leaves. You can stack and place these throughout your home on coffee tables, bedside tables or even as bookends on a shelf. Empty and clean wine bottles can also be wrapped with the same method and be tied off at the top or in the middle with twine and dried leaves or berries.

A welcoming front view

Wreathes and decorated windows are inviting and festive to all who encounter them. Making your own wreath can be easy and frugal by combining nature with some common crafting items.

For a decorative fall wreath, begin with a twig form wreath, either bought or handmade by bending soft twigs and tying them off until it forms a circle. Gather leaves of all shapes and colours, nuts such as acorns, various forms of pot-pourri, dried berries, and even craft leaves and garland. Arrange the leaves and other items on the wreath form as you want it to appear when finished. Using a hot glue gun, apply glue to the backs of each item, one at a time, and then return the item back to where it was on the wreath until you have glued every item to the wreath. Make sure you give the glue time to dry completely. At this point you can hang your wreath on your front door or finish it off with a garland, ribbon, or twine bow.

If you have large front windows you can decorate them with red, orange, yellow or black autumn cut out shapes. Popular shapes include:

* Leaves
* Acorns
* Pumpkins
* Half moon
* Gourds
* Stars

You can draw your own shapes, buy templates, or print free cut out shapes online. Trace the templates on to the coloured paper and cut out. Then tape them to the windows you want to decorate. If you like, you can add a backing of coloured tissue paper to the backs of the coloured cut outs with some glue so that the inside cut outs look different from the outside.

There are many other ways to decorate or change the look of your home for autumn. Rearranging furniture can often give a room an updated look. Handmade placemats and candles of various shapes and sizes linking a mantle, bookshelf or centrepiece in the table are easy and frugal updates to any room as well.

Use your imagination and look at Mother Nature to provide you with your supplies. Bringing a little of the environment into your home can make it feel inviting and warm as the seasons change and turn the world a little cooler.

How to be Successful in Life

2009-10-07T17:08:02+00:00

Many of us want to be successful. Maybe not just in our careers, but with our relationships, our parenting skills, our education or our spiritual life. Becoming and enjoying a successful life isn’t as hard as self-helps make it out to be.

There are only a few secrets out there - but they really aren’t secrets at all. They are common sense, but the type that has gone by the wayside as our lives have become faster moving, evolving and contributing to the ‘need-it-now’ society.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your life right now, and making it one step further to enjoying success.

Give up your excuses (ALL of them)

It’s easy to blame others for our problems, especially when at times they are responsible. However, if you want to be the type of ‘go to’ person that others count on when they need you, you must let go of all excuses. This includes those ‘explanations’ that you don’t think are excuses. Trust us, they are seen as excuses.

Even if, in your mind, there are legitimate reasons why something was said improperly, done incompletely or handled inappropriately, bite your tongue. You will get a lot further if you offer a simple, “I’m sorry, it will not happen again”. Put yourself in the position of the person accepting excuses over and over again: teachers, bosses, parents. Nobody wants to hear the reasons why your responsibilities were mishandled; they only want to know that you will do all you can to ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future.

Self confidence and self awareness

Part of success is taking the skills and abilities you do have and making the most of them. You need self-confidence in the things you are capable of, but you should also be self-aware of any character traits that need to be worked on.

If there are personality traits hindering your success, you are free to work on and change them at any time. Nobody is stopping you. If there are parts of you that you don’t like, but that you cannot possibly change, you will have to accept them and do your best with what you have. First of all though, you need to be aware of which innate qualities you can, and cannot, change. Make a list… you might surprise yourself with what you have to work with.

Change your reactions to life’s circumstances

Just as you must give up making excuses, you also need to stop the blame game. Blamers and complainers are nobody’s best friend. Successful individuals not only take responsibility for their situations, but they work hard to change them if they are not ideal. Sure, it’s easy to blame others. There’s your company you can blame if you lose your job and can’t pay your mortgage. You might complain about being lonely since your husband left you alone to raise your children. These situations are not ideal, but will blame and complaints make the situation any better? Of course not.

When a time in your life arises that is not happy or otherwise joyful, it’s easy to quickly react to the situation. Reactions are usually based on anger, bitterness, jealousy, fear and other negative emotions. Instead of reacting, try acting. What’s the difference? Acting requires you to sit down, formulate a plan and take action. You think about what you are going to do before you do it, and therefore it is usually a more rational approach. Reacting in the heat of the moment usually results in behaviour that you later wish you could take back.

Remember that you reap what you sow

In order to be successful in any area of your life, whether it be finances, relationships or school, it’s important not to burn the bridges you build. This means remembering the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. Reaping what you sow means that if you plant seeds of mistrust, anger, jealousy or anything else that can grow into something unhealthy - it will do just that.

We all know that if we are starting out at the bottom of the food chain in business, we should be courteous, helpful, respectful, punctual and more. Those at the top of the food chain, quite honestly, can tend to forget these important points. They forget that even though they are at the top, they are still planting those seeds with every association they make and every contact they meet. Someday they may be in a position of needing those on the lower rungs of the ladder. Will they be willing to help someone who has been rude, inconsiderate and disrespectful? Probably not. So remember, no matter how successful you think you already are, you should still be mindful of planting good seeds wherever you go.

Ten Things Every New Mother Should Know

2009-10-01T10:00:14+00:00

After nine months of waiting, you have just returned home from the hospital with your new baby. You’ve read all the books and think you know everything you need to know in order to take care of your baby perfectly. Then things start to happen that you never expected. Suddenly you wish that your new baby had come with a user’s manual or instruction booklet. Every mother deals with some unusual discoveries about parenting, but there are some common issues that come up pretty often. While everyone’s experience varies with their children, these are some answers straight from the mouths of real Mums.

1. The ‘experts’ are not always right.

Every mother and every child is different, so sometimes the suggested way to handle a situation will not work for everyone. Use your own instincts and take cues from your baby to find answers to your problems. Take their advice into consideration, but know that it certainly is not the law.

2. Sleep when your baby sleeps.

Naps are just as important for your healing body as they are for your baby’s growing one. Even if it means that the dishes are not washed or the laundry is not finished, get sleep whenever the opportunity presents itself. As most babies do not sleep through the night, any chance for sleep is important to your own health.

3. Though breastfeeding is a great, healthy choice for your baby, it is not the only way.

If you cannot or do not want to breastfeed, bottle fed babies can be healthy and happy. You should never feel guilty for doing what feels right and works well for you.

4. Holding your baby will not spoil them.

After nine months of close contact, your baby needs and wants to be close to you much of the time. Slings and front carriers can be a lifesaver if you have a baby that enjoys being held most of the time.

5. Take a nappy/diaper bag along, even if you are only running out for a minute.

If not, your baby will either decide he is hungry before his regular feeding time or there will be a messy, leaky nappy that will leave you running for home. At the least, take a diaper, wipes, bottle and change of clothes, in case of emergencies.

6. If your baby seems ill or if they are acting strangely, it is okay to call a doctor for advice.

It is better to ease your mind with a professional opinion of symptoms than to be worried and stressed on an already sleepless night.

7. Don’t try to do everything yourself, especially when you first come home.

There is no need to try to be superwoman. Ask for help when you need it and accept it when it is offered to you. You will be a better mother if you are rested and have time to care for yourself.

8. Write things down.

Even if you think at the time that you will never forget the date that your sweet little one took her first steps, months down the road the information will be long since gone. Start a baby book and update it regularly with milestones and photos.

9. Savour every laugh, every smile and every moment of your baby when they are growing up.

Before you know it, they will be independent and less reliant on you. Though the first months can feel like they will last forever, really they are gone in an instant.

10. There is no such thing as being a perfect mother.

All you can do for your children is love them and care for them the best you know how. Mistakes will happen; just try to learn from them and move on. If you spend too much time trying to be perfect, you will lose some of the most wonderful moments that you will have with your baby.

The first days of being a new mother are exciting and sometimes frightening, usually full of the unexpected. Remember that no one expects you to have all the answers; even mothers of several children do not always have the answers. The most important thing is to love your baby and to do your best to care for them properly. Do whatever works the best for the two of you and the rest of your family and no one can ask for anything more.

Pleasure Principles: Sex without Penetration

2009-09-29T13:59:39+00:00

For every inner there is as an outer, right? Well if that’s the case then sex is no exception. When it comes to sex and pleasuring your partner, just about anything goes (as long as you both agree) so the question remains, why does intercourse and oral sex seem to be the main focus when it comes to giving and receiving pleasure? Many couples focus on the down and dirty of having sex but what they fail to realise is that all that work that builds up to penetration can actually be just as good, if not better than penetrative sex.

If you’re thinking that this is about foreplay, you’re close. Foreplay is just a small portion of giving your partner pleasure without engaging in sex. So if there’s no intercourse, then all that’s left is outercourse. You might be reflecting back to your early days of high school when there was a lot of ‘dry sex’. While outercourse has some basis on the act of dry sex, there can actually be a lot more to it.

Outercourse is commonly thought to be an act that those who want to avoid pregnancy will practice and while that’s true, it can also be an excellent way to take your sexual relationship to the next level as well as explore new sexual activities with your partner. There are a number of ways to make outercourse work for you and your partner and make the experience one you won’t forget.

One of the benefits of outercourse is that there’s no pressure to take the activity to the level of sex. Outercourse can be as simple as reading an erotic story. You can take the level of outercourse to the level that you and your partner are the most comfortable.

Sensual Touching

A touch from your partner can send chills up your back when you least expect it. Maybe it’s his hand on your back as he accompanies you into a room or maybe it’s him gently rubbing your neck and shoulders after a long day at work. Touch has a powerful connection with our minds. It’s our anticipation of his touch that can send us into another world.

A seductive massage is a form of outercourse. As you work parts of your partner’s body (and he works yours), you can release tensions and stresses as well as work to heighten his level of excitement. Massage can be done with your hands but you can also use other parts of your body including your mouth.

The Give and Take of Masturbation

Allowing your partner to work your body over in a massage can often lead to some hand play. Whether you introduce toys to assist you in reaching orgasm or allow your partner to use his hands matters little; the end result can be an overwhelming orgasm. Be a giving partner and return the favour for him by bringing him to climax through masturbation as well.

Whether you take care of business while he watches or the two of you take turns masturbating one another, there is great pleasure to be had in watching one another reach sexual fulfillment.

Orgasmically Speaking

The power of words can move anyone to their knees. If you can engage your partner in talking dirty or reading a sensual story, you can heighten the levels of arousal. On their own, words may have little meaning so in order to get the most out of what you want to say, talk the talk but get down and dirty with the actions. Instruct your lover on what you want him to do, either to you or to himself. Take turns playing follow the leader, sexual style, and watch his excitement build. If you’re engaging in some naughty storytelling, don’t be afraid to give yourself pleasure as the story unfolds. Self pleasure combined with guided imagery can spark more than a few fireworks.

One thing to keep in mind when you’re engaging in outercourse is that if it turns you on, as long as you aren’t allowing your partner to penetrate you, as long as your’e both feeling satisfied, anything goes. Outercourse activities can draw out sexual play and intensify orgasms if combined with sex. However, on its own, outercourse activities can take the pressure off couples to perform sexually and just explore one another and each other’s bodies in a safe way. Be warned though; outercourse at its best can often lead you and your partner to engage in sex and unless you’ve both agreed to let outercourse take you wherever it goes, you may want to set up some boundaries.

Five Job Interview Tips That Will Get You Hired

2009-09-24T10:00:04+00:00

Whether the economy is on an upswing or a downward spiral, it can be hard to land a job. Being hired for the position of your dreams isn’t always easy. However, with a few interview tips you can increase your odds of landing that job!

Here are the top five recommendations made by career counsellors when coaching applicants before their interviews:

Personal appearance really matters

Many people learn this lesson the hard way. Sometimes it’s fairly innocent. Perhaps you haven’t been in the job market for a while and you don’t have a closet full of appropriate interview clothes. Maybe the only black dress shoes you can find are the 3 inch heeled sandals that you used to wear clubbing.

Other times, we can be hard-headed. We mistakenly believe that all people are accepting and understanding, and won’t care about the improper tattoo or nose ring. Some of us have the attitude that if we aren’t appreciated as we are, then those who can’t accept us don’t deserve us. Think long and hard about that one. Do you really want a job… or not?

Dress appropriately, make sure you are clean and well-groomed from head to toe, and do not show up chewing gum or smoking.

Know more than you think you should know

It’s surprising how many people don’t realise what they need to know before they are interviewed. Most employers don’t want to hire someone that will show up every day and do their job without interest. They want to hire someone who will love their job, do their very best, and support the company in its goals and mission.

Chances are if you applied for the job, it is somewhat interesting to you. You have hopefully also looked into what the position entails and what exactly you will be doing. However, go deeper than that. Research every little thing you can; the company, the person(s) you will be interviewed by, and the position that you would be offered if you were chosen.

Not only do you want to be prepared for any questions related to the position and company, but it will impress the interviewers if you show that you’ve done your homework. When you think you’ve learned all there is to know, learn some more.

Prepare and practice

Other than the research you do on the company and the position you’ve applied for, there is some more preparation you should do. If this is your first interview, you may not know what to expect. Typically, you are asked a serious of hypothetical questions so the employer can see how you would act or react in certain situations. Sometimes you get lucky and the interview is merely a friendly chat about the weather - but don’t count on it.

The best way to prepare is by making a list of all the questions you can imagine that they might ask. It should include things such as, “Why should we hire you?” and, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. You should also be prepared for more complicated questions such as, “Name a time when...”, because answering those on the spot can be anxiety producing.

When you’ve compiled a detailed enough list, think about and write out your answers. Prepare for them by having someone ask you them so you can get a feel for how natural your responses will be. You don’t want to memorise your answers and recite them verbatim - you should recall them naturally, as you would in an everyday conversation.

Use common sense and good manners

Let’s face it. We don’t all use common sense. That’s actually a good thing, though - other people’s mistakes are your opportunities. During an interview, you are giving the potential employer a brief snapshot of who you are. First impressions really do matter. Starting off the meeting with a nice smile and firm handshake will go a long way towards getting hired.

Pay attention to your body language. Don’t slouch or get too comfortable in your chair. Keep your eyes on the individual talking to you, and use proper English when answering questions. Also, avoid telling the interviewer anything too personal or disparaging. Admitting the you have a hard time getting to work on time because your car doesn’t run well will not get you the job.

When the employer asks you if you have any questions, feel free to ask for further details about the company or the position. If you believe you know all there is to know, because of the aforementioned research you did, ask for more specific information about a work process you may not understand or be familiar with. Don’t ask questions about salary or benefits at this time.

Don’t show up alone

No, don’t bring your boyfriend or your kids. There are a few things you don’t want to show up to your interview without, however.

CV/Resumé and/or application - Even if you have previously provided them with a CV or resumé, bring extras. You may be interviewed by more than one person, and it looks good if you have a copy you can hand them to follow along with during the interview.

Identification - If you’re offered a position on the spot, you will need documents to prove your residency or legal citizen status. Why not have them with you just in case?

References - Many applicants don’t put their references on their CV or resumé due to space limitations. It’s recommended to have three non-relative references that you can hand over when prompted.

Good luck!

10 Places to Find Inspiration for Your Next Art Project

2009-09-22T18:12:39+00:00

Arts and crafts such as drawing, painting and pottery can help keep you busy while giving you a wonderful outlet for your creativity. However, just as writers on occasion have a bout of writer’s block, artists can sometimes have difficulty finding their muse and coming up with their next project idea. Allow us to help inspire you!

Art classes – If you are truly stumped for your next art project idea, take a look at the classes offered by your local community centre or art school. Even if taking a class isn’t within your current budget, you may find a course title that will give you some fantastic ideas for subject matter.

Clean out a closet – This may sound a bit more like work than a way to inspire creativity, but as you clean out an old closet or even the attic or garage, you may come across items that will spark a memory that would make a perfect painting, or some materials that you can use in a beautiful collage or decorating project.

Arts and crafts fairs – Arts and crafts fairs are more than a place to buy and sell art work and craft projects; they can also be an amazing source of inspiration for creative types. Talk to other artists and share your ideas and thoughts with them. Having the sounding board of a like-minded person can often help your creativity come shining through.

Pick up a book or magazine – You never know what you might find lurking within the pages of a book or your favourite magazine. Maybe a story, article, or photo may be just the thing to develop your next project around.

Visit a museum – Nearly any kind of museum can be inspirational for creative types. Whether you are an artist looking for inspiration in the works of the great masters, or just an everyday crafter searching for ideas for a fun project to do with the kids, museum displays can give you just the right creative boost to come up with a perfect idea.

Talk to a child – Children and their vivid imaginations can be a great source of inspiration. Whether you ask them specific questions or just sit down and play with them, the innocence of their minds can be filled with ideas that would make wonderful art projects. For extra inspiration, let them join in the fun and create alongside you.

Experiment with a new medium – Break away from the normal medium that you use for your artwork or crafting and try something new. In many cases, you will find that you have a renewed passion for your original medium, plus you have learned some new techniques for even more beautiful creations.

Move out of doors – When you are constantly working in the same environment, particularly when you are indoors, it can be easy to lose inspiration. Try moving out of doors, whether it is simply onto the porch, or taking a trip to a garden, park, or beach. The change of environment can be just the ticket to get your creative juices flowing again.

Page through old photos – Many times art is inspired by a person or event that is dear to you, so it only stands to reason that looking through old photos and albums can bring back memories that might result in a beautiful piece of artwork. Crafters may even find a way to incorporate old photos into a new project, adding the bonus of extra materials to the mix.

Use old projects for inspiration – Look back at older projects and artwork often. You may find that an old project you did before your skills were at their prime might be a subject that you would want to revisit. You might find a subject or project idea that you can improve upon now, giving you a way of recycling your old ideas.

Depending on your own personal art medium, some of these ideas may or may not be inspirational for you; however, you might have an epiphany along the way that will tell you exactly where you need to go to find your own personal inspiration. Artwork is so variable that nearly anything around you can inspire a new piece. Use your surroundings or change them up a bit to keep your artistic ideas flowing.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Hands Looking Beautiful

2009-09-10T19:15:25+00:00

On a daily basis, we tend to pay a lot of attention as to how we look in the mirror. We fuss over our eye shadow and lip colour, over the concealer and our baggy eyes, and over how long we can get our eyelashes. Our beauty routines seem to almost always skip one of the most used parts of our bodies - our hands.

Some of use these to cook, some to type, and some to dig and get dirty. We all use them to bond with our children, our spouse, or our pets. So why not take special care of them as well?

Here are a few simple ways you can help keep your hands soft and beautiful for years to come.

Daily Moisturising

If you work with or handle paper all day long, you’ll realise how much moisture is stripped from your hands each day. The rest of us may not realise just how thirsty our hands get, but like any other part of the body they need moisture too. Many people may mistakenly believe that drinking adequate amounts of water is enough to hydrate the body, but our skin has special needs.

The largest organ of the human body, our skin should be paid as much attention as any other part of the body. Our hands, along with our feet, are often neglected in our daily beauty routines. It’s easy to remember to put make-up on our faces, since that’s often what people notice first about us. However, unless you receive a manicure on a regular basis, you may not always stop to think about the beauty of your hands.

It’s important to remember that like your face, your hands need regular exfoliation, moisturising and even a daily application of sunscreen. Hands are often exposed to sunlight more often than the rest of the body - think of the sun rays they absorb each day while you’re driving your car. Daily moisture and sunscreen will protect and hydrate the skin, keeping it supple and wrinkle free for longer.

Home Manicures

Giving yourself a manicure at home may not seem like a simple way to keep your hands beautiful, but it really is easier than it seems. Why spend your hard earned money having your nails professionally done every other week? Save that money and do your nails at home. All you really need is some hand and nail cream, a nail file, some polish, and a cuticle trimmer.

One thing you’ll want to do every day is push back your cuticles. This is easy if done just after your shower when your skin is moist and flexible. Now is also the perfect time to use a hand and nail cream, as your skin will absorb all the nutrients after a warm soak in the water. Using the flat end of the cuticle trimmer, or even your own nails, gently push back each cuticle. Doing this every day will keep the cuticles from becoming overgrown, but the cuticle trimmer works nicely when they do grow out too much.

If you do a lot of computer work, or are otherwise busy with your hands, you may want to keep your nails short. A good sharp pair of nail clippers and a professional quality nail file will help you do this. Be sure to get a file that has a rough side for quick filing, and a smoother side for the final, finer filing of the nails.

Polish your nails in a colour of choice. Don’t worry if you get some on your skin or cuticles. Simply wait until the polish is completely dry and soak your hands in warm soapy water. The polish will easily scrape off your skin, and your nails will look professionally done.

Anxiety Control

One of the best things you can do to prevent your hands from looking beautiful is bite your fingernails. Some people have been biting their nails for so many years that they hardly have any nail left. Not only are bitten nails unsightly, but if you do decide to grow them out in the future, they will have a very weak and malnourished start. They will probably peel, split and crack several times over while growing them out.

Nail biting is often a sign of high anxiety. When we can’t fidget, chew gum, twirl our hair or eat, we need to keep our hands and/or our mouths busy. Any woman who has dealt with chronic anxiety knows this. Even those who are not anxious women may find themselves wanting to bite their nails in extraordinarily stressful situations.

There are two ways you can keep from biting your nails. You can eliminate or deal with the anxiety you are experiencing, or you can try a deterrent. A couple of good examples of deterrents include smelly nail coatings that taste nasty when you put your fingers in your mouth, or prettily painted nails that you won’t want to put in your mouth because they’re just that beautiful. The latter option sounds more appealing, doesn’t it?

Daily Vitamins and Supplements

Our body’s hair, skin and nails need nutrients to grow. If our vitamin or mineral levels are low, if we are malnourished or if our hormones become unbalanced, it can affect how well our skin and nails look. To maintain a beautiful complexion, the first thing we need is a more than adequate amount of water. Water flushes out the impurities through our skin and helps promote the turnover of skin from old to new.

Regular intake of a daily multivitamin may help ensure that all of your nutritional needs are met. Your nails can grow beautifully long and strong with additional supplementation of biotin, or you can consider a topical application of base coats that include acrylic fibres or even diamond dust.

Five Simple Ways to Add More Family Time to Your Day

2009-09-10T18:53:25+00:00

Today’s family is rushed, stressed out and always on the go. It’s no wonder that a recent survey by the Annenberg Center for Digital Future at the University of Southern California discovered that the number of families spending less time together has gone up 17 percent since 2006. Television and the Internet have become so mainstream in our lives that families and family time have taken a backseat to the information age and social networking.

Starting the Day

Mornings can be rushed; between getting kids to school and daycare and yourself to work, it’s very easy to forget the uninterrupted moments you have available to connect with each other. The car and the breakfast table are perfect chances to talk with one another about the day’s plans.

One thing that you can do is turn off the radio in the car. Take this time to ask each one of your children what they are most looking forward to about the day. Give them a chance to ask you the same or share with them things that you are looking forward to. Even if you have nothing to share, you can still say that you look forward to seeing them again at the end of the day.

Hold Family Meetings

Family meetings don’t have to be a means to discussing problems or changes. You can hold a meeting with your kids to check in during each other during the week to see how everything is going. Kids and parents get busy and therefore your kids can often forget to tell you things they may need from you (like a dozen cupcakes for the class at the end of the week). Your meeting doesn’t have to be formal by any means - often the more informal it is, the more children are likely to open up and talk about things that matter to them.

Family Nights

When you think of family night, you might be tempted to assume that it’s a night of board games or the family gathering around the television for a rented movie or favourite show. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. The purpose of family night is to make it whatever you want it to be. Invite friends over for a barbecue and let the kids and grown ups play and have fun with team games.

If you want to mix up family night and get away from board games and movies, consider letting everyone come up with two or three things they would like to do with the family. Have everyone put his or her ideas into a jar and when family night comes around, draw one of the ideas from the jar and that’s the chosen activity for the evening. Some ideas might include a hike, bike ride, picnic, volunteering or a back garden camp-out. Each of these ideas is frugal and a great way to spend time together.

Cook a Meal

Kids love to get in the kitchen and create things. As parents we know that it can be difficult to get them to do some of the tasks and chores we ask of them. When it comes to making a meal or a snack, kids are more than willing to jump in and get themselves (and the kitchen) a little messy. Making a meal together is a great way to spend time together and to teach your child a new skill.

You don’t need to put them in charge of the stove but you can let them mix ingredients, measure ingredients and even help with the blender or food processor with some supervision. An added benefit to cooking with kids is that you can let them choose the menu. When children are involved in the preparation of the meal they are more likely to eat it as well.

Ending the Day with Quality Time

As you are tucking children into bed, take the time to slow down. Talk to the little ones as you give them their baths and play with the bubbles in the tub. Most bedtime stories take less than 10 minutes and are excellent opportunities for snuggling up and sharing all that imaginations have to offer.

Don’t pass up the chance to tuck them into bed. Spend a few minutes giving the children individual time to tell you about their day and what special things took place. There’s no reason to rush through this special part of the day with your children.

Family time can be sought in those little unexpected moments, when you’re helping your daughter brush her hair or dressing the little ones for preschool. Letting your mind focus on the task in front of you instead of wandering off to what’s next on your list may be the easiest way of all to spending family time with your children.