Signs It’s Time To See Your Dentist

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Signs It’s Time To See Your Dentist

Your smile is your greatest asset and you want to make sure that you take good care of your teeth so you can keep flashing those pearly whites. A dentist visit is recommended every six months and this is the best way to ensure that your oral health is a-okay. However, if you are experiencing any of these issues, then you need to get into your dentist’s chair as soon as possible:

Dental Pain:

Dental pain is one of the telltale signs that you have a problem. Your teeth are there to help you, not hurt you! Also, dental pain is the absolute worst and can make going through your day unbearable. Schedule an appointment with your dentist ASAP to get to the root of what is causing your pain.

Loose Teeth:

If your teeth have become loose, then there’s nothing you can do about it except to visit your dentist. This is another situation in which you should not sit and wait. The longer you wait the worse it gets. Most of the time this annoying situation is caused by gum disease also known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is easy to deal with especially when you start adopting proper hygiene principles, which your dentist will help you create a game plan for.

You Have Swelling:

Swelling is one of the most obvious signs that there is something wrong with your teeth. If your gums have blown up, it won’t be too long before your jaw and your entire face get swollen as well. In this case, it’s probably because you have an abscess tooth. Fortunately, with a few antibiotics your dentist can get that swelling down and then go in and deal with the tooth that is causing you problems.

Poor dental health has a potential to lead to problems with your hearing as well. This type of swelling can inflame blood vessels in your ear leading to hearing loss and needing rechargeable hearing aids to assist with your hearing. There’s no use running away from the dentist because you’re just going to end up running right back to them.

Consistent Bad Breath:

If you have consistent bad breath, then it is also time to go and visit your dentist. This is not normal and if you have been brushing and flossing as you should, this should be something that you can squash very easily. If that’s not working, then there is some underlying problem that needs to be addressed.

Going to the dentist is never fun, but letting any of these issues fester is going to make things so much worse for yourself. Don’t wait to schedule an appointment!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

What I Did During COVID (Nothing Lol)

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What I Did During COVID (Nothing Lol)

Hello!!! As I write this, Johnny and I are finally on an upswing from our COVID experience. Thank gawd because, let me tell you, it was really horrible for a while. We were both feeling like absolute garbage and when one feels like garbage, there’s not much you can do but sit there lol. I will say, if we weren’t in the throws of the virus, it actually would have been quite pleasant to veg out and watch all of the TV. Johnny chose to stay downstairs with the bunnies watching WWII movies and I claimed the upstairs as my own to watch all of my guilty pleasures. This included:

The Saw Franchise:

My first order of business once we were bit by the COVID bug was to rewatch the Saw franchise in its entirety. I am a HUGE fan of those movies and I am excited to see the newest one in theaters once Johnny and I are feeling better. Yes, they’re violent. Yes, they’re freaking gross. And, yes, they aren’t for everyone, but to each their own. I watched all of the Saw movies in a whopping two days and even though I was feeling completely miserable, I kept thinking to myself “at least I’m not that person” for everyone playing a “game”. It actually kind of helped a little lol.

Sister Wives:

After my Saw bingeathon, it was time for my next guilty pleasure and that is literally every single show on TLC. Haha, I just can’t help myself – I love crappy television. I have been an on again off again Sister Wives viewer for years and I must say, this newest season has been explosive! Can we all please talk about what an asshole Kody is or?! He is the freaking WORST and I am so happy to see Christine and Janelle finally come out from under his stupid thumb. My only hope is that Meri follows suit soon so Kody can be left alone with Robyn, which is what I think he truly wanted all along. SHAMEFUL!!!

My Strange Addiction – Still Addicted?:

Speaking of crappy television… After I got caught up on Sister Wives, I finally was able to watch the follow up series to My Strange Addiction to see where the people on the show are at ten years later. It was just as weird as the original episodes and it was SO cringe worthy. There were people addicted to eating toilet paper, couch foam, cat hair – you name it. I was, however, very sad to learn that Nathanial’s beloved Chase, the car who he shared an intimate relationship with kicked the bucket. RIP to a real one.

The Office:

And, finally, when all else fails – there is always The Office. Like millions of people, I find The Office to be one of my favorite comfort shows. Johnny and I have seen every episode more times than we can count, but they are never not funny. This was a great show to put on when we were really sick because we could close our eyes and rest and still know exactly what was going on. There is no think work to The Office and it is what we both refer to as our “warm blanket” show. Whether we have COVID or not, it is always on our lineup at chez nous!

One can only watch so much TV, sick or not, until their brain turns to mush and I am very happy to be feeling well enough to pass some time reading. Keep it locked for a new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club soon as we discuss a thriller called We Love To Entertain!

What is your favorite comfort show? How about one of your guilty pleasure shows? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

COVID Chronicles

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COVID Chronicles

Hello!! This past week has been a real doozy for Lil Red and Johnny because, unfortunately, we got COVID. We both tested positive and we can only assume that it came from Johnny’s place of work where everyone has been lax on pandemic safety from the jump. It has been AWFUL, especially because we were both very symptomatic and the last time we had the virus over two years ago, we experienced no symptoms at all. All I have to say is, thank god we are vaccinated and boosted because I truly couldn’t imagine our experience being any worse than it already was.

Johnny started out our COVID journey with aches all over – headache, body aches, and was very stuffy and fatigued. Naturally, all of this transferred to me and a day later, I was prepped to have all of the same. My Day One wasn’t so bad, but it was weird. I was really tired and I could just feel like I was about to be sick as a dog. I still rallied enough to make a big pot of spaghetti which was a saving grace during our sickness staycation so #blessup for that lol. By Day Two, the struggle bus hit and it hit like a Mack Truck.

My Day Two was the sickest I have felt in I don’t know how long. I had a fever and chills, I was stuffed up beyond belief, my head pounded, and the body aches were unmatched. I kid you not, I felt better after a car accident that left me hospitalized than I did that day. No exaggeration. It hurt to do anything but lay in my misery and reminisce on all of the good times I had before catching the Vid. On the bright side, I did have a Saw movie marathon to get hyped for the latest installment, but that did little to boost my mood. All it did was provide a slight distraction to being sick AF.

While sleep would have been a welcome reprieve after long days of being a bio hazard, it wasn’t. I was waking up constantly either too hot or too cold and would finally emerge from my slumber with my clothes completely soaked to my skin. It was gross lol and my Day Three was only slightly better than Day Two. After another seemingly endless day of ouch, ugh, and blegh, things took a somewhat turn the following day.

On Day Four, I was still feeling sick, but it was a different kind of sick. What felt like the worst flu ever shifted into a cold from hell. I felt pressure beyond belief in my head and mouth breathed my day away like Napoleon Dynamite. My body still ached and I was feverish throughout the day and night. I was so weak because I was running on a diet of Gatorade, crackers, and the occasional plate of spaghetti. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t cry multiple times during my COVID tenure. I just couldn’t help it – it was that bad.

As I write this, I am feeling crappy but it’s the least crappy I have felt in days. Johnny also seems to be doing much better so I like to think we are on the upswing. I urge all of you if you are feeling sick to test yourself. After dealing with the pandemic for so long, it’s easy to want to dismiss COVID now, but you can’t. It is still a very real thing and Johnny and I know firsthand because we have been a complete and utter mess. My running joke has been that I wish this happened during the summer because my bikini body would have been off the charts. Ba dum chhhhhhh.

With gatherings moving indoors as the weather shifts, please be sure you monitor your symptoms and stay home if you are feeling unwell. You never know who you are infecting and it’s a dangerous game to play. Stay safe, everyone!

Have you had COVID before? What was it like for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Friendly Reminder!

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Friendly Reminder!

Hello!!! Every once in a while do you get messages from random people you went to high school with and never once spoke to asking to join a pyramid scheme? Because SAME lol. I also receive a ton of messages asking for one of my number one pet peeves – to “pick my brain” about blogging. In other words, get free advice on my expertise because we graduated from the same high school or just so happen to be friends on social media. It is amazing how quickly the conversation ends once my consultation rates are explained. This sounds snobby, but it is very annoying – especially because I often offer advice on my blog free of charge so I know they aren’t reading my page at all!

My logic behind offering consultations for those who want to start a blog is similar to why I pay for tattoo consultations. The bottom line, is that people are spending their time and knowledge to help you and that is something that should be compensated monetarily. For my consultations, it is a $25 flat rate and in that time we will work through several key points that are essential when starting a blog. This includes: Creating a name around your vision, establishing a writing and publishing schedule that works for you, figuring out your strongest writing categories and choosing offshoot categories, networking strategies, a special shout out on my page, and so much more.

Unless you are really good friends with a blogger or social media guru, chances are you are going to be asked to pay a fee for advice. This is just a friendly reminder because for a lot of people, myself included, blogging is a business. Those who have established a name in this field worked really hard for it and our knowledge is worthy of being considered valuable. The same goes for anyone who works in a creative field – remember, this isn’t just our hobby but our livelihood! 🙂

This post was not meant to be bratty, but what the title says – a Friendly Reminder. I have been experiencing this issue a lot lately and I know that I am not the only one who can relate!

What is one of your biggest pet peeves? What else should I include in my blogging consultations? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

September 2023 Finishes

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September 2023 Finishes

Hellooooo darlings! September is drawing to a close and that means it’s time to discuss my beauty finishes for the month. August empties left me less than impressed and this month was only slightly better. As always, it’s no harm no foul because trying new products is fun and I like to let my readers know which ones aren’t worth their money. Not everything can be a winner, amiright?! Let’s take a look at my September Finishes and chat some more about the oh yeahs and the oh nos: 

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^^^ Totally forgot to add the Bath & Body Works lotion to my empties shot lol WHOOPS

Would I Use Again:

Evoluderm Micellar Water: YES

Purifect Bright Vibes Only Serum: NO

Hope Soap Vanilla & Fig Body Nectar: MAYBE

goodhabit Rescue Me Water Jelly Dew Cream: YES!!

Bath & Body Works Everlasting Magic Body Cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

Purifect Serum: I was SO excited to try the Bright Vibes Only Vitamin C Serum by Purifect. The packaging was adorable, first and foremost, and I love the bonus boost of radiance from Vitamin C products. Sadly, this one massively missed the mark. This serum was really thin in texture and it almost felt like I was splashing water onto my face when I was applying it. The bottle was quite small and a lot of serum was needed to fully cover my face and neck. Within three weeks, the bottle was empty and I never noticed any positive changes in my skin’s appearance. Even if I did, I wouldn’t buy it again because it simply wasn’t a long lasting product and a poor value for my money.

Hope Soap Lotion: I received this product as a gift and it is from a local boutique in my neck of the woods. While I always support shopping local, I am less than impressed with the Body Nectar by Hope Soap. The Vanilla & Fig scent is delightful and I love the whipped texture of the lotion. However, I never felt like my skin benefited from using it. It just didn’t seem as effective as a lotion from Bath & Body Works, for example, and I wouldn’t use it again unless it were gifted to me. A+ in scent and texture, F in effectiveness.

goodhabit Moisturizer: Now, this is a product that I LOVED. You can read more about it in the review linked above. What I will say, is that this is one of the best moisturizers that I have ever used. Yes, the Smurf blue color is slightly off putting lol, but that doesn’t take away from the excellence of this moisturizer. It was long lasting, my skin felt baby soft after each use, and I would be ecstatic if I found it again at TJMaxx – I would buy every single one available!

B&BW Body Cream: I am a huge fan of the body creams by Bath & Body Works and the Everlasting Magic scent was an absolute delight. To me, it smelled like rich plum, ripe blackberries, and the softest notes of floral. I loved being able to use it every night and it makes it even better that it was completely free! I am very impressed by the effectiveness of the B&BW body creams and my skin felt hydrated and nourished throughout the entire day from it. Highly recommend!

There were some winners and some big losers in my September Finishes and that’s A-okay. In fact, I’m thrilled to even be writing this post because October is right around the corner and that means Halloween!! Bring on the spookiest month of the year, baby! 😀

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above if you have used them before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

A Busy Person’s Guide To Fitness

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A Busy Person’s Guide To Fitness

Are you always on the go, finding it hard to sneak in a workout session? Do you feel like there are not enough hours in a day? If you answered yes to both, then you’re not alone. With busy schedules and endless responsibilities, prioritizing fitness can become tedious. However, staying active and healthy doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few simple fitness tips for the time-constrained individual:

Plan ahead:

The key to staying on top of your fitness routine while having a busy day is to plan ahead. Schedule a workout session into your daily schedule so you allocate a specific time slot to exercise. Knowing what workouts you need to do and when can help you stay focused and hold yourself accountable. You can also keep track of your progress by writing a fitness journal outlining the workouts you have done and what goals you would like to achieve.

Optimize time:

If you’re limited on time or can’t get to the gym, optimize your schedule to fit in some sweat time. You can combine your workout with tasks or activities you’re already doing. For instance, do some lunges or squats while brushing your teeth. Try using public transportation or bike to work instead of driving. You can also opt for an active lifestyle, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

Incorporate HIIT:

High-Intensity Intervals Training (HIIT) is an exercise that combines short, intense periods of activity with less intense rest periods. HIIT workouts are perfect for busy people because they are quick, efficient, and can be done anywhere. You can choose from HIIT workouts like burpees, jumping jacks, and sprints.

Make it a group activity:

Working out in a group can be motivating and enjoyable. It’s also an opportunity to multitask while spending time with friends or family. Schedule cohesive workout sessions with your buddies or family members and test out different classes until you find one you love. This could be a danceathon Zumba session, yoga, pilates, or even boxing! You can also join a boot camp or group fitness classes at the gym.

Eat well:

Getting fit isn’t just about exercise; it’s also essential to eat well. Eating nutrient-rich foods and taking supplements such as those produced by STEEL can help you to feel energized and improve your overall health. Some of the foods you should include in your diet are:

Whole grains:

Whole grains such as whole wheat, oats, and quinoa are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They provide energy to power your day-to-day activities.

Lean proteins:

Lean proteins like chicken breasts, eggs, and legumes are an excellent source of protein that helps build muscle strength. Protein also keeps you full for a more extended period of time.

Fruits and vegetables:

Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Eating them regularly helps keep your body fueled throughout the day while improving overall health.

Healthy fats:

Healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil provide essential nutrients to your diet. It’s important to include healthy fat sources in your meals for optimal health.

You should also avoid foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium. These foods can slow you down and interfere with your fitness goals.

Employ the help of professionals:

Sometimes, it can be daunting to create an effective fitness plan all by yourself. If you don’t have the time or knowledge, consider employing the help of professionals who can put you on a weight loss program that works for you. An option that might be recommended is the fat mobilization system, which is a clinically proven weight loss program that is designed to help you reach your health and fitness goals. This program effectively minimizes excess fat by utilizing the process of thermogenesis. By naturally stimulating the body to generate heat energy, it facilitates the burning of calories. With a program tailored to your fitness goals, you can be sure that you are in good hands.

Remember, fitness isn’t a destination but a way of life. Embrace the journey and enjoy every step towards a healthier, fitter you. With these tips, you can surely make fitness a part of your lifestyle, no matter how busy you are. Keep going, stay motivated, and never give up on your fitness goals!

Fall Guest Bloggers Wanted!!

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Fall Guest Bloggers Wanted!!

Hey!!! As you all know, Lil Red loves her some fall! Autumn is my happy time and I have been waiting all summer long for it. There is nothing like cool days, seeing the leaves change colors, and Halloween. Fall is the season when Johnny and I live our best lives and I know that we are not the only ones who share these sentiments. With the changing of seasons, I love to host guest bloggers series and I am opening the floor on lifewithlilred for anyone who wants to celebrate all fall everything!

If you are interested in being a guest blogger on lifewithlilred, all you need to do is shoot me an email with your ideas to: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com . I am looking for posts on favorite fall recipes, activities, outfits, makeup, and spooky Halloween fun. If your post idea doesn’t fall under these categories – send them my way anyway. 🙂 It is always such a blast to collaborate with other bloggers and make new friends. I am looking forward to hearing from all of you!! ❤ ❤ ❤ Much love. -Sarah

About Our Bunnies

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About Our Bunnies

Hello!!! On November first, it will be one whole year since Johnny and I welcomed our sweet bunnies, Melvin and Penelope, home. We adopted Mel and P from a friend who adopted Penelope from some type of fair I think? Little did she know, Penelope was pregnant and had eight (Yes, eight!) babies. When Johnny and I decided that we were committed to adopting bunnies, I scoured humane societies and posted on Facebook for any leads. My post was answered by the new bunny parent of nine and we took our babies home two weeks later!

Screenshot 2023-09-21 at 06-18-39 Sarah Mushenheim (@lifewithlilred94) • Instagram photos and videosScreenshot 2023-09-21 at 06-19-13 Sarah Mushenheim (@lifewithlilred94) • Instagram photos and videosScreenshot 2023-09-21 at 06-18-59 Sarah Mushenheim (@lifewithlilred94) • Instagram photos and videos

It was and still is so exciting to have pets in our apartment. Melvin and Penelope are our little buddies and we are just as obsessed with them now as the day we brought them home. It is such a blast to watch our two gremlins romp around our bunny proofed area, play with their beloved Chewy boxes, and get into mischief. Mel and P’s favorite activities include snack time, chewing literally everything, and getting all of the cuddles from their mom and dad. Although, cuddling definitely wasn’t on their agenda when we first got them… It took a while for them to get warmed up to being held, but now they are always on the couch with us when we watch TV! 🙂

Our almost first year of being bunny parents felt like a lot of trial and error. It took both Mel and P a while to get about 95% litter trained, for starters. The first few months involved a lot of cleaning up accidents and rearranging their litter boxes to find a solution that worked. We had to figure out the best ways to clean their hutch, the best places to shop for their leafy greens, as well as finding supplies that they liked and getting them acclimated to our touch. This process took a while, but we never gave up and it feels like we have had them for so much longer than a year.

Melvin and Penelope are completely different bunnies from when we first brought them home. Pen was SO shy and was not interested in exploring her new digs whatsoever. Melvin, on the other hand, was quite skittish and would rather run away than be near us. Now that they know who mom and dad are and are so used to us, we finally see their real personalities. Pen is sweet as can be and loves to be held – the way to her heart was lots of yummy treats! Mel is our little adventurer and tolerates being held for a while, then he scampers off to play, play, play. He loves toys and thinks it’s hilarious to dump his food dish all over the hutch as soon as I refill it! Their personalities compliment each other so well and I am thrilled that they are comfortable enough with us to show it off. ❤

Since Johnny and I did not have a birthaversary bash this year, we are hoping to combine it into a party for Mel and Pen’s Gotcha Day. Our bunny babies are so loved and in my perfect world, we would have an apartment full of them!

What is your pet’s personality like? When it your pet’s Gotcha Day? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Whatever The Weather OOTD Bloopers

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Whatever The Weather OOTD Bloopers

Hello everyone and welcome to the blooper reel from my Whatever The Weather OOTD! This past year, I have made it my goal to do weekly OOTDs and minus a few misses, I feel like I have been achieving it. I trudged through summer looks even though it’s not my favorite season to style for and now it is officially fall – AKA the best season for fashion ever. Although the weather doesn’t feel fully fall yet, I welcome a crisp morning any day of the week and have been creating outfits for fluctuating temperatures. Whatever The Weather, however, some pictures definitely don’t make the cut… Until they have their day in the sun during the blooper reel! Let’s check it out:

Something STANK

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Don’t mind me doing the potty dance

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Showing off my dazzling smile 🙂

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WERKING that wind in the hair, baby

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My signature, adoring “wtf” face to whatever it was that Johnny was saying ❤

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To pop the foot or not… that is the question

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… The answer is not -_-

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Johnny and I had quite the adventure around TimberTop finding a place to take these stunning pictures. We went to the location seen here first and was greeted by a HUGE pile of dog crap because no one in TTop cleans up after their dogs and it’s so foul. So, we began to walk and ended up on a charming path that we didn’t even know existed. It was a wooded area and offered a view of the charming, dirty creek that runs through the apartment community, appropriately named Mud Creek lol. You can’t make this stuff up!!

This location was much more like it, but the lighting sucked butt so we continued on our quest for another OOTD spot. Then, we found a clearing that I thought might work, but it was a Red Herring. You guessed it – the lighting sucked butt there too! On the bright side, we did meet an adorable puppy named Kody – short for Kodiak – short for Kodiak The Maniac according to his owners. This was a huge plus, but we were still struggling to find a good spot to shoot at.

Finally, we went back the way we came and when we exited the woods it was a total “let there be light” moment. There was perfect lighting shining down on the super cool stone base of one of the apartment buildings. I think it looks so neat! We were derailed by dog poop, poor lighting, and a cute pup (which was a most welcome reprieve!) but we ended our trek victorious. The things I do for this blog! 😀

Whatever The Weather during the fall is thankfully always pretty good for a walk and did we ever for this shoot. Johnny was SO ready to go inside afterwards and so was I!!

What are some of the names of bodies of water in your area? Do any of them top MUD CREEK?! I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

How To Boost Your Kids’ Confidence

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How To Boost Your Kids’ Confidence

During the pandemic years, it was tough for little ones to learn social skills without being around other children their age. As we’ve moved past the COVID times and into the open world again, some of our kiddos might be shy and need a little confidence when starting school or engaging with other kids. This article will share some advice on how to boost your kids’ confidence:

Enroll Them In A Literacy Program:

Literacy programs can help kids improve their written and verbal communication and engage with other kids around them. Foundations like Scottish Rite have speech-language and literacy programs in California. The foundation provides fully-funded courses to help children overcome speech or language obstacles and become confident individuals who enjoy engaging with written and spoken language.

Teach Them Responsibility:

Giving kids a taste of manageable independence can help them become more resilient and able to complete tasks independently. Teaching your kids how to look after a garden can teach them a lot about responsibility, patience, and allow them to see their work rewarded as plants grow and flourish. You could also give them a small item of responsibility if they are younger, like selecting an activity for the weekend.

Set An Example:

Your children learn from you and how you interact with the world around you. Try to set a good example by being positive and engaging with other parents in a group setting. Let them see you try something new and enjoy the experience. Help them to persevere by ensuring they see you follow a task through to the end. Your kids will learn from your example if they see you happy and confident.

Help Them Get Comfortable With Failure:

Studies show that up to a third of the population could be considered perfectionists. Perfectionists often find it hard to handle failure and tend to over prepare for events so they can constantly meet high standards. It’s important to get kids comfortable trying new things without fearing failure. This will teach them to be well-rounded adults who can adapt and thrive in new environments. They will also learn essential life skills like resilience and problem-solving.

Get Them Engaged In Learning:

Getting kids engaged in learning is fundamental to giving them confidence in school. Try Learn Bright’s hands-on learning programs to give them a taste of real-life experiments that they can engage with and complete in groups or independently. Getting kids involved in hands-on learning is a great way to appeal to visual learners and help boost their confidence in a school environment.

Encourage Team Work:

You can encourage kids to work better together in groups at home. You can do everyday things like letting them plan a meal with you or playing collaborative board games together. Help them build their confidence by encouraging them to work with you and the family to get things done. When they have play dates, you can also get the kids involved in a team activity or encourage them to join an after-school club to engage with children of a similar age.

Praise Perseverance Over Results:

Praise your child for persevering through a hard task, not just for the results they get. Teaching them to keep going even when things get tough is important to raise resilient children. Remember, top marks aren’t always the goal. If your child struggles in math, going up from a C to a C+ can be a significant achievement. If they aren’t into sports, getting them to join a soccer club is something to be celebrated.

There are many ways to engage children through learning or playing and, in doing so, raise them into confident and well-rounded adults.

Featured Image By: Pexels