EducHate – Why Does Your Kid Hate School (& How Can You Fix It)?

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EducHate – Why Does Your Kid Hate School (& How Can You Fix It)?

Most children will fool their parents into thinking that they’re ill at one point or another. Moreover, most kids will probably experience the fear of going to a certain lesson after forgetting to do their homework. These things are natural. What isn’t right, however, is when a child wakes up dreading to go to school on a daily basis. If this situation has crept into your household, you must find a quick solution.

The root of those problems could come from one of many sources. Pinpointing the reasons behind your child’s fear will soon give you a far better chance of rectifying the problem. Here are some of the most common troubles, along with a suitable solution:

Struggling With The Work: School isn’t supposed to be a walk in the park, and it’s good that your child needs to work for positive results. However, if they’re falling behind, it can leave them fearing the worst. Not only will it stop them from getting good grades, but they could fear it’ll upset you, too. Being supportive is key.

Different children learn through different methods. While some learn by listening, others need a more active approach. Alternatively, your child might retain information that they’ve read. Appreciating those methods is vital. Meanwhile, write my essay for me services can help your child transform their knowledge to paper in a more technical manner. In many cases, just taking one step to accommodating their learning style can make all of the difference.

Struggling To Make Friends: Education isn’t all about academic progress in the classroom. Human interaction and the development of key communication skills are equally important. Unfortunately, some kids struggle to ever master this aspect of their school life. Worse still, the effects can be quite catastrophic.

At the worst end of the scale, your child may be getting bullied. Knowing how to help your son or daughter through this difficult period is essential knowledge for all parents, especially since no kid is immune to it. Most situations can be solved, but you shouldn’t rule out the possibility of changing classes or schools if that’s something that the child wants. A positive learning environment is something that everyone deserves.

In many cases, though, it’s simply a lack of confidence that has disrupted a child’s ability to make friends. Help them find a hobby that enables them to gain friends outside of the classroom, and the results should influence their school life, too.

Struggling With The Long Days: For youngsters, the school day can be tiring. However, it shouldn’t be so knackering that they cannot function properly. If this has become an issue, a few lifestyle upgrades should get your child back on track.

The importance of sleeping patterns cannot be emphasized enough. Encourage your child to get a better quality of rest, which will ensure that they wake up with far greater energy levels. Meanwhile, improved nutrition and hydration can also work wonders. As they say, a healthy body breeds a healthy mind.

Every child can agree that school isn’t their favorite sometimes but helping to make their school days easier can make a huge difference in their experience.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Important Steps For Preventing Obesity In Dogs

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Important Steps For Preventing Obesity In Dogs

Most people pay close attention to their weight, and with the modern prevalence of obesity, that’s hardly surprising. The dangers of obesity are huge, and the condition affects much more than just our looks! Unfortunately, standards in pet care have also meant that this is a very real concern for dogs, as well. If you’re worried about your dog’s weight, here are some important steps for making sure that they don’t become obese:

Knowing Their Healthy Weight: Keeping tabs on your dog’s weight may seem a little excessive to some pet owners, but it’s extremely important if you want to minimize their chances of obesity. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through the challenge of getting them to sit still on scales regularly, and mapping this on a chart. Checking a dog’s weight by ratio is fairly easy, barring a handful of breeds. Their ribs should be easily felt, but not visible most of the time. They should also have a fairly well-defined waist. There are many handy guides that you can find on the internet for judging your pooch’s weight.

Changes to Their Diet: In many cases, you won’t need to change the food that you’re feeding your dog. Sure, if one chicken dog treat has less additives than another, then switch to the healthier option. Aside from that, sudden changes to their diet will usually just lead to an upset stomach. The portion sizes you’re giving them are usually the thing that you should be paying more attention to. Try to avoid tossing them scraps from the table, and make sure that you’re keeping an eye on the amount of treats that you’re giving them when you’re trying to decide on a healthy portion size.

While there are a lot of guidelines out there for this, remember that they are only guidelines. You should be trying different combinations with your dog, keeping in mind their weight ratio, and figuring out what’s best for them. All dogs, even of the same breed and age, have different body types and levels of activity. These factors need to come into play when you’re working out the best portion sizes for your dog. If your pooch is acting hungry when you know they’re getting enough to eat, try adding some fresh, steamed greens. These have very few calories, and are a great source of fiber.

Getting Enough Exercise: Finally, try to make time to ensure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Exercise is not only essential for your dog’s mood and mental health, but also a big factor in their physical health, as well. This needs to be more than a walk around the block, depending on the individual dog. Slow, leisurely strolls are nice when you’ve had a stressful day, but if you really want your dog to keep at a healthy weight, you also need to get some more vigorous exercise – power walking, running, and so on. This will be beneficial for you and your dog’s weight! Even an extra 15 minutes can make a big difference to your dog’s weight, so get out there!

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PUPPER!!!

A slim dog is a happy dog (as my vet says). Although chubby puppers look adorable, it’s not healthy or fair to them. Manage your dog’s weight for a longer and happier lifetime with your doggo.

Featured Image By: Max Pixel

Movie Maven: A Lil Red Guide To Film Festival Etiquette

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Movie Maven: A Lil Red Guide To Film Festival Etiquette

Hello everyone and happy Hump Day! Summer brings about a variety of activities that some people spend the whole year looking forward to. Vacations, concerts, baseball games, and film festivals. I am sure that most of you already know that I am an avid movie lover. Of course, my favorite genre is horror by far but I love it all. Psychological thrillers, foreign films, comedies, rom-coms, the occasional Western, action, documentaries – you name it. The world of film is an all inclusive, creative, free for all with something for everyone, which is what makes it so beautiful.

Asking me about my favorite films always results in a five minute babble of my “I could watch this every day and not get bored” flicks. Every movie that you watch has the potential to become your new favorite and that’s what makes going out to the cinema, renting from the RedBox, and attending film festivals so exciting. You are twenty minutes in previews away with entering a new world for an hour or two. And even if the flick was the worst thing ever, you still got to eat popcorn and candy for the duration of the film. It’s a win/win for everyone.

A night at the movies is fun – but could you imagine a day at a film festival? A day devoted entirely to the up and coming films for the year? Talk about heaven! And another cool part about attending a film festival? The traveling! July 19th through the 22nd is the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas. And the movies that are seen in Vegas are sure to not stay there for long! Be sure to check out Vegas.com for the best hotel and flight packages for your stay and then let’s talk some film festival pro tips:

Be A Social Butterfly!

You already have one thing in common with literally every single person at the festival – a love for film. This sounds like the perfect icebreaker to me! Chat it up with anyone and everyone after the credits have rolled because you never know who you’re going to meet. From directors and actors to behind the scenes workers and industry professionals, a film festival is the best place to network if you are interested in any aspect of the vast world of cinema. Get your business cards ready and spread your wings, you beautiful and capable butterfly.

Dress To Impress:

You know how I said that you never know who you’re going to meet at a film festival? If not, let me repeat it: YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU’RE GOING TO MEET AT A FILM FESTIVAL!!! Dressing to impress is absolutely crucial for this reason. During the day, you can get away with a comfy cool look – an oversized button down, skinny jeans, and ankle booties are a great start. And don’t forget to bring a cardi for those chilly showing rooms!

The evening is a different story, though. Let your night time look transform you just as if you were walking the red carpet at a major premiere (Okay, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point!). Wear your best LBD and a killer pair of heels and then top it off with a bold red lip and a bejeweled clutch. And remember, it’s all about confidence and class with a heaping helping of personality when you’re strutting your stuff in your evening attire, honey.

Take Notes:

Having a notepad and a pen on you is a must. Keeping track of the films that you saw during your whirlwind of a day is vastly important when it comes to networking and the post film Q & A sessions. Write down your likes and dislikes, questions that you had throughout the screening, and important themes that you picked up on during the movie. All of your thoughts will make excellent conversation starters at the refreshment stand or while hanging around for the next film to start. Not only that, but surely you will want to remember such an exciting day, anyways, and jotting down notes throughout your experience is a great way to keep your memories fresh.

Tearjerker Tissues:

Alright, let’s get one thing straight: Literally no one wants to hear you with the sniffles after ugly crying when the handsome lead bites the dust, Linda. Do us all a favor and bring a travel tissue packet. THANKS!! (This goes for everyone – not just Linda!!)

A Good Attitude:

Are you going to love every film that you see? No. But raving negativity after the film ends is certainly frowned upon in such an esteemed setting. Differing opinions are fine, but voice your love or distaste appropriately. The movie that you hated could be the favorite film of the person sitting beside you. An appreciation for film in general and the time, money, and talent that’s involved in that world goes a long way during your chats in line at the ladies, the refreshment booth, or the post film Q & A. Remember that you’re in a professional environment and showing respect is always going to be a do as you go about your day at the festival.
If you’ve never attended a film festival before, the Anthem Film Festival in Las Vegas is a great place to start! What are your film festival do’s and don’ts? What are a few of your favorite flicks? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
Featured Image By: JoeyBLS Photography

3 Lessons Every New Photographer Will Learn In Time

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3 Lessons Every New Photographer Will Learn In Time

Photography is a hobby that’s easy to pick up, but difficult to master. Most people enter the world of photography as a fun side activity, but quickly begin to get immersed once they realize the creative potential and open-to-interpretation nature of it. Some might be drawn to emotional black and white photography or have interest in the more technical side of things like bold color photos and how and when was it invented.

Whatever your interest, photography is a brilliant hobby because if you begin by using the right Sony camera, it will train you to see the world in your daily life. The smallest details will present themselves to you with wonder, and you’ll notice that your creative ability is bolstered throughout other means of expression, too. Drawing or painting a landscape is a beautiful feat when you have countless hours photographing nature packed away in the back of your memories.

Photography trains people for the better. If you’re looking to potentially delve into picking up photography as a hobby, you might not understand how it will change you. For the most part, you can expect:

An Appreciation For The Environment: While traversing the plains, exploring abandoned buildings, climbing sky-high towers to witness beautiful skylines, or simply private events that usually go unnoticed, you’ll develop a much keener eye to observe the gorgeous world around you. Not only that, but you’ll become proactive within it, always considering what visual beauty can be captured around the next corner.

It’s rare for a hobby to help instill in you a sense of adventure, but photography can do that to no end. In fact, comically, it can work to your detriment. When out with a friend, you might insist on taking the road less traveled to get to your destination, and this is something a non-photographer might not understand as easily. However, they surely will once you show them the final photo results.

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Click!

You’ll Develop Perfectionist Tendencies: Photography is an art that demands a creative touch. You don’t need to adhere to the ‘tried and tested’ methods of composing shots well, such as using the rule of thirds or figuring out where the light travels to best guide the eye of a future viewer. However, perfectionist tendencies do develop after a period of photographing. You might find yourself waiting until 2 AM to catch that perfect shade of moonlight over a town statue that you respect. This can bleed over into all aspects of your life. Your creativity will certainly be boosted as well as your attention to detail.

Your Digital Media Fluency Will Increase: To best develop photographs in the modern day, using an SLR camera will require that you have some form of electronic storage capacity. To upload the photos, using apps like Instagram might work well for you, but you’ll need to learn how to correctly size and maybe edit the photo in a program like Photoshop or Gimp to best squeeze the most value out of every snap you take.

No matter who you are, no one will look at the world in the same way as you. Photography is a natural extension of your worldview and it’s up to you to get out there and capture it.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Is Now The Right Time To Get Into The Healthcare Industry?

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Is Now The Right Time To Get Into The Healthcare Industry?

Healthcare businesses are booming at the moment. So, it isn’t hard to see why starting a firm which delivers patient care is so tempting. The problem is, that even though the landscape appears good now, it may not be in the future. Sadly, entrepreneurs see a ‘sure thing’ and dive in head first, only to have things turn sour shortly after. For obvious reasons, you don’t want this to happen! It’s essential that you think before you act. With that in mind, here are the pros and cons of starting a healthcare business in 2017:

Pro: It’s Easier To Obtain Qualifications

Most people think that they need seven years of medical training before they can open the doors. Or, they believe that some need to pay their dues. The reality is, that qualifications are a lot easier to come by today than ever before. Yes, lots of medical professionals do spend years training to get a foothold in the industry. But, it’s also possible to do it online. With courses such as healthcare administration bachelor’s degree online, there is no base that you can’t cover. As an added bonus, online classes tend to be less expensive and more convenient for a busy schedule. Getting your Physical Therapy CEUs or even an associate’s degree to get started might be more obtainable than you think.

Remember that there are also other positions available in a medical setting that might not require a degree like making deliveries to different floors, janitorial work, reception, and kitchen staff. These are all integral roles in a medical facility too. You might even find a position for a medical answering service in Houston (or your local area) to further enhance communication between the facility and patients. These are all excellent options if you thrive in a fast paced and person centered environment.

There are also roles in the medical field that would be perfect for the computer savvy. This is an especially viable option should you be squeamish around blood! Medical device software development could be where your skills lie to boost efficiency and ensure the efficacy of treatments. Data management or facility management could also be considered for a role in the medical field without being hands on.

Con: Industry Is Complex

The problem with starting out as a novice is the complexity of the industry. Simply put, there is a lot to deal with on a daily basis, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. To provide an extensive care package, it is essential to keep up with the latest trends and attend seminars. You will also need to review your practices to ensure that they are up to date, not to mention the logistical side of things. Sure, it is possible to learn as you go, but it is extremely difficult. If you’re going to succeed, you need tons of brainpower and the drive.

Pro: Returns Tend To Be High

If you’re savvy, the returns on your investment can be significant. The reason for this comes down to low startup costs. Normally, new businesses have to fork out a lot of money to break even, but healthcare firms don’t follow the same rules. For example, there is no need for an office if you provide care to people in their homes. Plus, there is no reason to hire a plethora of workers, either. As long as you can keep the initial cost down, there is an excellent chance that you will be in the black. Dwindling down the expenses with managed care contracting can also be a huge help, which is something you would benefit from exploring further.

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#stackingpaper

Con: Everything Is Changing

A few years ago, the Affordable Care Act came into action and changed the industry. Now, the Trumpcare legislation is about to come into effect, and everything will be different again. Some people will see this as an opportunity, which it is in some respects. Others, however, will understand that the industry is on a knife edge. Taking the gamble now could pay off, or it could leave you with nothing. Regardless, it isn’t worth the risk until you know more.

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Are you up for the ever changing challenge?

Featured Image By: Flickr

Bath Bomb Blitz

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Bath Bomb Blitz

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday. Okay, so Lil Red Fun Fact: Before Saturday, I never have used a bath bomb. “But Sarah, how is that possible,” you might ask? Because nowhere near me sells them, that’s why!! The closest Lush to yours truly is about 45 minutes away and I’m not going to drive all the way out there for some bath products. But, believe me ladies, I see you with your bath bomb posts and I’d be a liar if I didn’t say that I was jealous AF. That’s why I was SO excited when TJMaxx had bath bombs available in their beauty section like THIS ONE:

As you all know, I am obsessed with all things charcoal. Body washes, facial cleansers, scrubs, masks, I love it all. I don’t have “problem” skin, which is what most people associate charcoal products with. BUT feeling squeaky clean is really important to me as a beauty enthusiast and a pretty hardcore germophobe, and nothing makes me feel that way quite like charcoal goodies. That’s why I was really excited when I saw this here charcoal bath bomb by Aromafields because I didn’t even know that that was a thing! But everything is a thing so I guess a charcoal infused bath bomb isn’t as crazy as it sounds!! Okay, whatever, I know I’m rambling so just look at the water, will ya?

#allblackeverything

Okay, if you’re not a long term emo kid like myself, you might be slightly disturbed by my pitch black bath water. But, rest assured, I had the time of my life. Splish splash, Lil Red was taking a bath and it was AMAZING. The water smelled minty cool and easing myself into a tub filled to the brim with black water is the stuff straight out of my emo fantasies. So, yeah, this bath bomb was totes worth the four buck price tag.

Literal tiny beads of charcoal floated in the water that you could scoop up with your hands and rub on your skin. It was seriously like having a face mask for your whole body. My skin felt tingly and cleansed. AND taking a soak in my bathtub filled with black water that looked like the perfect setting for an AFI music video was simply magical, to say the least. :*)

My ONLY complaint about this Aromafields bath bomb was that it was a real pain in my kiester to clean up once the water drained. There was a charcoal film covering the entire bath tub that I legit had to scrub to remove. It wasn’t a “let me wipe the tub really quick” affair but more like a “I need elbow grease that only a carnival strong man can provide” to remove this stain. Your girl put in work, honey. And a word to the wise is to use a towel that you aren’t fond of while cleaning your tub because mine looked like I took it to the underside of my WHIP when I was through. And something tells me that the belly of the Little Red Love Machine would STILL have given me a cleaner towel than the bath bomb residue did. SMH!!!!

This was my first bath bomb experience, so I have nothing else to base my judgements off of, but I really enjoyed myself! I’m excited to try the chocolate scented bath bomb as seen in my featured image photo next and will be sure to let all of you know how it goes! Where do you get your bath bombs from? Is Lush worth the hype? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

You VS Aging: Be The Victor!

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You VS Aging: Be The Victor!

We seem to be getting more worried about the effects of aging all of the time. If you’re particularly worried about the aging of your skin, there is plenty that you can do to give yourself a (super smooth) hand:

Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle: One of the biggest contributors to the signs of aging? An unhealthy lifestyle! In fact, it’s undoubtedly the biggest contributor. What we usually associate with “unsightly” aging are usually just results of damaging diets and activities.

The fact is, that the things that help you live longer are also the things that help you stay looking younger. What we associate with “younger” are usually just signs of good health. So you need to put a lot of focus on what you’re doing in your life now. Are you a smoker? Smoking prematurely ages the skin in a dramatic way. Are you drinking enough water every day? Eating enough fruit and vegetables? You need all of that moisture and all of those minerals to keep your skin looking bright and healthy!

Consider Cosmetic Products & Enhancement: A lot of people want to go down a completely “natural” route when it comes to fighting the aging process. They seem to think that things like anti-aging creams are basically akin to injecting Botox. This, of course, isn’t really the case! Some of those products that you see advertised on television do actually work quite well. Something as simple as a daily facial moisturizer can help keep your skin cells feisty and fresh. After all, dry skin is damaged skin. If it contains aloe vera, that’s a good sign. You can also look into more advanced products, too.

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Smoooooth.

Of course, you should understand that everyone’s skin is different. What works for some people doesn’t always work for others. You may find yourself more interested in things like Belcara Health plastic surgery. Everyone has their own opinions about this sort of route, but it’s something that you should only consider if you feel truly comfortable with it. Many have been very happy with the results that they get!

Relax More – But Don’t Neglect Exercise: This is actually a continuation of the previous section. But it really deserves its own section because people underestimate its effects constantly. The effects of what, you ask? Relaxation. You’ve probably heard it before: stress is one of the most dangerous things that your body can be subjected to. And yet so many of us are putting ourselves under a lot of stress every day. So how does stress effect skin? You may think that it causes you to frown a lot, which exacerbates wrinkling around the forehead. And you’re actually right! But it also puts particular strain on a number of cells in your body. This all contributes to aging signs in other areas, too. Put aside some time in the evening and have some much needed R&R for your skin’s sake. 😀

Having said that, you should also spend more time exercising. Yes, I know that exercise isn’t exactly “relaxing”. And, in fact, it can often be a source of stress! That’s all short-term, though. In the long-term, exercise helps you sleep better and feel less stressed. It also promotes blood circulation. This helps to make sure that the nutrients your skin needs are appropriately delivered.

Healthier skin starts with simple changes to your lifestyle. Which one will you apply today?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Cool Ways To Bring Your Neighborhood Together

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Cool Ways To Bring Your Neighborhood Together

We all want to live in a better neighborhood; it is one of those inherent wants we are all born with. Of course, what makes a better neighborhood is entirely subjective. Some may want a neighborhood that feels safe like they used to feel, where kids can play outside until the sun goes down. Others may say that they want somewhere that does its part for the earth. Everyone is different. Whatever the case, though, creating a better neighborhood is all about coming together as a team to strengthen your community. Awwww. How lovely would that be? :*)

To help you achieve your ambitions of living in a little slice of utopia, we have come up with a list of ways in which you can make your neighborhood a better place to live:

Sharing Is Caring: Sometimes it’s the old cliches that ring truest, and that is certainly the case when it comes to sharing is caring. Why not set up a community that is more geared towards helping one another out. Start up a tool library and a toy library, and, yeah, a book library too. Start a neighborhood vegetable patch where you all chip in and reap the rewards. Not only will these ideas bring you closer with your neighbors, but they’re all fun and helpful!

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So. Many. Tools!!!

Eco-Awesomeness: We all wish that we could be a little greener in our community, but buying solar panels isn’t exactly cheap, although they are getting cheaper. Anyways, to avoid the big overheads, why not pool together and buy solar panels collectively to enjoy a big bulk buy discount. As you can see at oregonlive.com this is a trend that was started by communities in Portland with amazing results.

Emergency Excellence: If you can be prepared for an emergency as a community, you are going to thrive as a community. It could be that you all chip in to buy a couple of automated external defibrillators from foremostequipment.com, or it could go even further and have a full blown emergency network in place. What better way is there to strengthen your community than to have members take on various roles, have certain supplies ready, and be prepared for the worst as a neighborhood.

When shopping for emergency supplies, do your research. For example, if you buy Heartstart FRx AED from AED Leader, is it something that can be used easily? Will you have a few designated neighbors who have been trained on how to use it, or will you all go to a course? AEDs are life-saving pieces of equipment so it should be a discussion you have with all your neighbors (especially with those most vulnerable) and trained emergency staff.

Nice Nights: Building your community starts with doing things together. It could be getting together for a block party, holding storytelling evenings, serving different street foods, getting together for fireworks displays, having the children put on a theater event, and whatever else takes your fancy as a community. Whatever your summer bucket list is made up of, do it as a neighborhood. Have a calendar event that you all do once a month, where everyone knows that the second Saturday is neighborhood night.

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Partayyy

Front Yards: You are never going to bump into your neighbors if you only ever use your backyard. So, instead of this, why not move your normal backyard activities to the front and make yourself more visible and friendly to your neighbors. Sit out on the porch and say hi to everyone that goes past. Make a big jug of lemonade and invite them in. It’s only a slight tweak to your life but it can make a huge difference when it comes to getting to know your neighbors and building a better community.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Monday Update: TJMaxx Haul Edition

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Monday Update: TJMaxx Haul Edition

Hi everyone and happy Monday!! I hope that everyone had a super fun and fabulous weekend! So these past few days, I was a little naughty and went way too hard at TJMaxx. As you guys know, that store is my number one fave. It seems like I never fail to find something that I love there. Whether it be new shoes, beauty products, clothes, or purses, TJ’s always treats me just right! This week, we’ll take an in depth look at my haul (Because, believe me, there’s a lot!) starting with this sassy little skirt that I got for a whole EIGHT DOLLARS. Check it out:

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This fun jean skirt is Buffalo by David Bitton brand and the original price tag had it marked at seventy dollars. And once again, I GOT IT FOR EIGHT! I’ve been on the hunt for a cute jean dress or skirt for a while now but have never found anything that spoke to me on a spiritual level. This skirt is flattering, flirty, and totally fabulous and my only regret is that I didn’t find it sooner.

I love that this dark denim skirt features a zipper down the front instead of the normal buttons that have been littering the stores lately. The fit and flare shape is just right in providing a curve hugging silhouette while still offering a light touch of girly sweetness from the flared bottom. The golden stitching throughout the skirt also adds some extra pizzazz, which makes this little number feel fresh out of the 70’s. Freaking obsessed.

There is nothing better than purchasing a darling new piece to add to your wardrobe for under ten dollars. And knowing that I saved sixty-two smackers on this skirt makes the find even sweeter. I can’t wait to pair this high waisted number with crop tops, tucked in button downs, and a jean jacket for a sassy update on the Denim Tuxedo. And, of course, platform heels with this retro baby is a must!

So there you have it, this week’s Monday Update: TJMaxx Haul Edition! Spend your week here at lifewithlilred while I talk beauty and fashion compliments of my favorite store! Who else is totally TJ’s obsessed? What is your favorite store to shop at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bully-Proof: What to Do If Your Child is Being Picked On

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Bully-Proof: What to Do If Your Child is Being Picked On

When you first have kids, you like to think that you will always be there to protect them from any negative situations that may arise. But when they start school, that is a big part of the day where you can’t be there to supervise them.

Some school issues are minor and can be dealt with in a single conversation while others are more serious and may require an education lawyer. Bullying is certainly one of the trickiest problems to handle, but it is something that a lot of kids go through at one time or another (I did!). Here are a few steps to take if your child is going through a bullying problem:

Listen to Your Child: The first thing to do is to listen to your child about what has been going on. Sometimes, they won’t come to you directly, but you should look out for any signs of emotional distress, like becoming particularly quiet and withdrawn. When you are listening to them, try to avoid becoming too emotional, but instead you should try to calmly reassure them that this is not their fault. Of course, some action needs to be taken but you need to think about the right thing to do before rushing in headfirst.

Things to Avoid: The reaction that most kids dread is that you go immediately to speak to the head teacher or the bully’s parents. And you should also avoid telling them to hit or call names back as this can cause the problem to quickly escalate. And definitely avoid dismissing the experience as just something they have to go through when they are growing up. School should be a safe haven for kids, not somewhere that they dread going because of being bullied.

Helping Your Kids Deal with the Issue: Many bullies are looking to draw a reaction out of the kids they pick on, so try to encourage your child to appear confident even if they don’t feel it. If your child gives the impression that they aren’t bothered by what is being said, the bullies are more likely to get tired of it and move on. Encouraging your kids to join some social or sporting activities can help to boost their confidence when they are at school.

Getting Support From the School: If the issue continues, it may be time to get support from the school. The anti-bullying policy varies from place to place, so you should look up what your child’s school is before taking action. You should always make an appointment with the teacher you want to see rather than turning up unexpectedly. Find out how they think is best to proceed and make sure to follow this up to see how successful they have been.

Dealing With Your Own Feelings: You will probably have a whole range of emotions going through your system, so you should try talking with people who are close to you and get advice from a range of different sources. If you know parents whose kids have also gone through this issue, they may be a good place to start.

A child’s education is so important and a bully standing in the way of that is something that should never be tolerated!

Featured Image By: Pexels