Tag Archives: learning

Aug19

All In Your Own Backyard

Posted on August 19, 2022 by lifewithlilred

Hello!! When I first started working as an Independent Provider for people with special needs, I was mainly on the evening shift for purely social outings with my clients. For free and fun entertainment, we would often hit up the local libraries in the greater Akron area. Activities ranged from vinyl record clubs to art projects and murder mysteries and it was always a blast.

Now, I work in the mornings and afternoons and provide care under the umbrella of daily living skills. It has been a while since I scoured the library and community websites for outings and I, honestly, kind of forgot how amazing all of our local programs are until this summer. My family has certainly been making the most of them!

This past summer, people in my family have attended numerous events including a watercolor painting class and a Comicon style vendor fair. We have also loved taking my sweet niece to story time almost every week at the library. It is the most adorable little hour filled with books, songs, and crafts. My heart just melted when I took Val last week. ❤

Over last weekend, I experienced one of the best community events I have been to in a while with my dad and Val – the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival. It was held at the Goodyear Heights Metro Park and featured awesome performances by various dance groups. We got to watch a jazz and ballet troop as well as the dancers from ArtSparks, which is a dance group made up of people with special needs. It was SO cool!

The main event of the night was a performance by Pilobolus, a world famous troop. However, we didn’t get to watch them because it was getting close to Valerie’s bedtime. All of the dancers we did see were spectacular but the best part of the night was when the kids in the audience got to take the stage. Val had a blast learning different ballet and jazz moves. She also unintentionally stole the show when she was showing off her newfound skills during another performance lol it was so funny. 😀

After Val learned some dance steps, she said that she would like to take dance classes and that’s what is so wonderful about all of these community programs. Not only do you get to meet new people but you also get to try your hand at new things for free or close to it. Similarly, my mom and I now paint in our free time after the ten dollar watercolor class we took.

Children, teenagers, and adults alike can all benefit from local programs – you just need to know where to look. Library websites, newspapers, and community pages can all point you in the right direction. If you are searching for new activities with minimal funding, then this is the way to go. Explore your community and have fun!

What community events do you like to attend? Have you learned a new skill or hobby recently? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug1

Boosting Professionalism To Enhance Your Brand

Posted on August 1, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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As a professional, you should always look for ways to boost your brand and enhance your standing within your industry. If you are running a small business or start-up, this is not as straightforward as you’d like. You need to compete with established enterprises with more contacts than you have employees. Yet, this does not mean you’ll never be able to enhance your brand.

One key component of success is professionalism. This does not need to mean the impersonal or prim and proper demeanor, especially in the modern business sphere. Instead, there are some crucial points you need to remember to demonstrate how professional you are, which should attract customers, networking opportunities, and more:

Make Your Company Easy to Find:

Considering how the internet has made it easy to learn more about businesses, you should strive to make your business equally easy to find. Otherwise, you will lose customers to local competitors who took the time to establish an online presence. Setting up your website and making sure it demonstrates what your brand is all about is a fantastic place to start. You should focus on social media profiles and covering all popular platforms helps you reach a wider audience. Search engine information such as Google My Business also helps, as it provides all of the information customers need to get in touch.

Have Professional Photos:

Looking the part is a significant aspect of professionalism, especially when it comes to photos of yourself and your business. Investing in professional entrepreneur photography for your profiles to help capture your aura as a leader can only help you. It also helps put a face to the name behind your company.

Design a Welcoming Office:

While the office is not as common as it was two years ago, many businesses still need a dedicated workspace for employees or meetings. The least you can do is design a welcoming office so that employees and clients feel comfortable. This all starts with your reception area. Comfortable sofas and complementary refreshments (water, coffee, tea) encourages a welcoming appeal. Inside the main office, natural light and ventilation are two key factors that can transform an office atmosphere and make it a pleasant place.

A welcoming office also means having information readily available. This could be in the form of a bulletin board, daily emails, or a A5 leaflet holder from Alplas that contains important memos for the day. When your employees are up to date on the happenings of the workspace, everyone is included and, in turn, creates a welcoming atmosphere.

Hire the Right Talent:

It isn’t just the boss that can improve professionalism within the workplace. If you want to enhance your company, you need to hire the right talent to help push your business to even greater heights. However, the hiring process can be tricky and even the most promising candidates can let you down.

Understanding the top tips to hire the best candidate will help you avoid getting burned by applicants who lied on their resume or simply weren’t up to the demands of the industry. By choosing top-quality candidates, you can set your business up for years of success and trust them to lead when you are not around.

Deliver on Promises:

Delivering on promises is a crucial aspect of improving your standing and demonstrating professionalism. But, you can’t promise the earth to every client, as you’ll end up letting someone down. Instead, you must know what you can promise and make sure you deliver. Setting achievable expectations shows honesty but could still impress clients if you deliver a project ahead of schedule. If follow through is something that has been a struggle, it would benefit you to have some additional help. Technology like Profit software can improve your performance and task management skills. It also includes handy features to further engage your employees, boosting their job satisfaction.

Offer Value In All Content:

Content is a valuable aspect of any business. It gives you the chance to interact with customers and clients less professionally while also sharing your thoughts about the industry or even highlighting interesting tidbits of industry history. But, your content must be valuable. Content calendars and dedicated copywriters or content creators (whether in-house or outsourced) can improve your content so you’ll always have something to say and you’ll know that it matters.

Of course, the content you are publishing must be the perfect balance of professional and engaging. Your brand’s social media and online presence is not your own page but a page for your customers both current and in the future. It is best not to post shocking content on your brand and personal page alike because it can be a major turnoff. A reputation management company can be most beneficial in their expert knowledge of social media and online etiquette as well as pinpointing content that could harm your business. These services are certainly worth looking into so your brand is always being showcased in the best light.

Understand You Don’t Know Everything:

It’s important to spend time building relationships and seeking mentorship at any stage of your career. Doing so and asking for help leads to business growth and shows you’re willing to learn from others and your own mistakes. The more willing you are to take advice on board from mentors or industry veterans, the easier it will be for you to establish your business as an industry leader. Furthermore, you’ll have built a reputation as a professional, improving relationships and making people more willing to work with you.

Enhancing your brand will not happen with a snap of your fingers. Like any business venture, it takes time to establish yourself as a reliable and respected member of your industry. You can accelerate this by considering these tips to help your business stand out from the crowd and let everyone know that you’re serious about what you do!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Jul29

Date Day (Ish) OOTD

Posted on July 29, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! This past Saturday, Johnny and I had plans for a date day that went sour because he had a lil belly ache. We were supposed to go out to lunch (Which we did), take OOTD pics (Which we sort of did), and have drinks at our favorite bar (Which we didn’t). For lunch, we went to a brewery down the street called R. Shea’s and it was SO yummy but when a wave of nausea hit Johnny it was pretty much game over from there lol. Peep this glorious grilled cheese, though!

^^^ Cilantro jalapeño hummus for an appetizer and a beer cheese grilled cheese for the main dish. Still daydreaming about it!

After lunch, we headed home and Johnny rallied enough to take some quick pics in the apartment because I loved the outfit I had on:

^^^ Lol, I honestly forget what Johnny said to warrant that face in the last picture but it is such a mood!

Who? What? Wear?

Persimmon top: Solitaire, TJMaxx
Skort: Almost Famous, TJMaxx
Heels: Reaction By Kenneth Cole, TJMaxx
The belt is from some store in the mall that doesn’t exist anymore
The cuff bracelet is from Aerie, which I also got forever ago

Although I didn’t get a full photo series of this Date Day (Ish) OOTD, I still love it all the same. This look is a really good example of a color blocked outfit and is exactly what I pictured when I purchased the Solitaire top during my last TJMaxx haul. There are a few rules of thumb to follow for a successful color blocked OOTD so let’s discuss:

Colors That Compliment:

The best and most obvious rule for optimum success is to choose colors that compliment. As you can see, aside from my black skort that acted as a neutral, I went with a warmer palette for everything else. You want the colors that you use to interact with each other in the most positive way for a cohesive look.

Try looking at the rainbow for inspiration. For example, if I had a yellow skort, it would have worked just as well as the black since red, orange, and yellow work together in tandem. For a more jewel toned look, the base of this OOTD in green, blue, and violet would be ideal. If you want to do some advanced color blocking, take a look at a color wheel to use true complimentary colors like blue and orange or red and green.

Choose Clothing Styles Wisely:

A color blocked outfit is a huge accessory in itself and we all know that too much of a good thing can take away from the overall look. I kept things sleek in my OOTD and used the top as the main piece and then incorporated matching accessories. But maybe you want to do something more bold and we’ll use ruffles and complementary colors as an example…

Let’s say you have a magenta top with ruffled tank sleeves and you want to pair it with a bright green skirt. This alone would be a great choice but you could take it a step further. What if your green skirt has ruffle accents too? Then, it would be a home run because you’re using complimenting colors AND styles.

Different types of styling all demand cohesion and some options, like mixing and matching, allow you to be really creative. Of course, you are being creative with color blocking but it’s also a logical way of styling too. By observing not only colors that complement but styles too, you are going to have a cohesive look no matter what you choose. That’s just brain power, baby!

^^^ Lil buddy was all tuckered out after his big day!

Despite not having many pictures of this Date Day (Ish) OOTD, I hope you learned a thing or two about color blocking. This is one of the easier styling methods so don’t be afraid to break out the color wheel and have some fun!

Do you prefer to wear warm or cool colors? What is your favorite styling technique? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul26

Watercolor Painting Project

Posted on July 26, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello! I took a really fun watercolor painting class with my mom and sister this past month and it inspired both my mom and I to try our hand at it in our free time. My free time is, unfortunately, hard to come by so my painting supply haul from Michael’s had been sitting unused for the past few weeks. So, I was very happy to have been able to come up with not one but TWO masterpieces last week:

Other than the introductory course on watercolor painting that I took, I have zero experience with it. I never say no to learning new things, though, and I am really enjoying my efforts. In fact, I am thrilled with how mine and Johnny’s likeness turned out! I had the idea for it in my head and they turned out exactly how I pictured them to be.

Are these paintings great on a technical level? No, lol. BUT, both Johnny and I love them and that makes them great to me. In fact, as soon as I was done my sweet husband told me that we’ll have to find a perfect spot to hang them up. That made me feel so good and even more proud of my creations.

I feel like everyone has this preconceived notion that they have to be amazing or making money off of a craft or skill to do it. I, myself, am guilty of this. However, breaking free from this thought gives you the opportunity to try all kinds of new things whether you’re good or bad at it.

The watercolor class I took not only motivated me to paint more but it also empowered me in little things too. I know I can’t sing worth a damn but the evening after our class, Johnny and our friend were playing music and I sang right along with them. It is never too late to learn anything and I can’t wait to paint even more!

What is your favorite hobby? Are you learning anything new right now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul21

TJMaxx Haul: Nicole Miller Pants Edition

Posted on July 21, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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TJMaxx Haul: Nicole Miller Pants Edition

Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by on lifewithlilred! Yesterday, we took a look at a new crop top that I got to wear with a pair of Nicole Miller floral print pants. And, today, we are going to be discussing said pants! There was only one pair of these bad boys in the entire store and I fell in love with them instantly. In fact, I was thinking to myself “please fit” before I tried them on lol. Obviously, they did so let’s get to it:

Patterned pants are a relatively new phenomenon to me because I much prefer my old standby of black skinny jeans. That’s not to say that I don’t like the idea of a good pair of patterned pants, though, and I just never found the right pair for me. Thanks to some recent TJMaxx hauls, I was able to explore this side of clothing that I never got the chance to before and I am so there for it! Now, the main concern is finding things to wear on top lol and we’ll discuss some pro tips for that shortly.

These Nicole Miller pants are, honestly, everything that I have ever wanted in a patterned pair of pants and MORE. When I saw them hanging up, I couldn’t believe my good luck and would have been so disappointed if they didn’t fit so thank god for an elastic waistband! I adore the jogger shape, watercolor style flowers, and the adorable back pockets. 😀

Looking back on my experiences with trying on patterned pants and instantly vetoing them, I now realize what I was doing wrong. Every pair that I liked even a little got put back because I had nothing at home to compliment it. Rather than finding something that would work with it, I just said no and that was my mistake. As you all know from yesterday’s post, I made my second round in TJMaxx specifically to find a shirt to go with these pants and had GREAT SUCCESS. This is what shopping and building outfits is all about!

Other than my new Rebellion Again top, I genuinely don’t have anything else at home to wear with this purchase. However, that doesn’t mean that I don’t have ideas! There are so many different colors that I can pull from the pattern to assist me the next time I go shopping. I hope to find a dusty rose or yellow cami to wear on top and tying it all together with a tighter fitting jean jacket. I can’t wait. 😀

I like to fancy myself as an excellent outfit builder and this Nicole Miller number taught me something that I never considered before. TJMaxx continues to surprise me and soothe my soul every time! ❤

Are you a fan of patterned pants? Why or why not? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul9

White Hot OOTD Pt. 2

Posted on July 9, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello everyone and welcome to part two from my White Hot OOTD! After finally getting my hair done, I wanted to take all of the pictures and my sweet blog husband delivered. I had SO many great options and locations to pick from that I couldn’t cram it all into one post. Rather, we will be doing four! Tomorrow, you can tune in to see my final set of pictures and don’t forget to check out the blooper reel the following day. 😀

As promised, we will be discussing the art of mixing and matching patterns in this post so peep some brand new pics and let’s get to it:

Mixing and matching patterns might seem like a daunting challenge when it comes to assembling an OOTD. It is not as difficult as you think, however, as long as you follow some simple rules:

Start Small:

If you have never mixed and matched patterns before, then the best place to start is through your accessories. I recommend a handbag and shoes as your introduction. This way, you will still have a strong neutral base (which we will talk about more) to assist you. Some examples you could try would be a floral embroidered bag with a floral patterned shoe. This works because it’s a like pattern. Or, you could do a black and white polka dot bag with a black and white snake skin shoe – this works because it’s a like color palette.

Assembling An Outfit:

Once you have had some practice with accessories, you can move onto incorporating mixing and matching into your clothes. This Goddess Style OOTD by yours truly is a really good example of mix and match. Just remember to follow these tips:

Have One Neutral Piece:

Before diving into the deep end with a whole mix and match outfit, it helps to have a strong neutral piece in your OOTD. Black, white, taupe, and navy are all good places to start. Note in my White Hot OOTD that my tank top acted as the neutral to make the mix and match skirt and shoes pop. With one neutral piece in your outfit, it limits the pieces you can mix and match and makes the process less overwhelming.

Create Space Between Mix & Match Pieces:

Having one mix and match piece on top of the other is fairly advanced and it really does require the perfect pieces of clothing to make the outfit cohesive. This is why creating space between your M&M pieces will help you out when you are a beginner. In my White Hot OOTD, it wouldn’t have mattered so much if my shoes and skirt weren’t a one hundred percent match in color or pattern. The skirt gave me negative space between each piece and that assisted in its cohesiveness. You can try this out with a patterned top and shoe!

Color Coordination:

It is so crucial in mix and match OOTDs to have a like color linking your different patterns. For example, this orange patterned Zac & Rachel skort paired with my floral Scotch & Soda blazer. Looking at these pieces individually, you would think that it wouldn’t work together. But, that is far from the case! Each component has orange, black, and green which links the patterns into something that works in tandem. Remember, it is easier to mix and match patterns when each piece heavily features a similar color.

Be Mindful Of Pattern Sizes:

Let’s use the skort and blazer as an example again. What do you notice about each one? If you answered that the oranges are bold and the flowers are delicate, then you are spot on! It is so important to be mindful of pattern sizes and boldness when mixing and matching. You do not want two super bold or dainty patterns right on top of the other because it makes it difficult to differentiate the two. Go for opposites in terms of pattern size or boldness in your choices to really make your mix and match pop.

When you first begin mixing and matching – try and try again because clothes are meant to be tried on and played with! Remember these tips and you will be a pro in no time. ❤

Do you have any questions about mixing and matching? Do you have any pro tips of your own for M&M styling? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul7

Watercolor Painting Class

Posted on July 7, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Hello!! This past Saturday I took a really fun watercolor painting class at the Quirk Cultural Center with my mom and sister. The class was led by the wonderful Ana-Joel of Falcon Grove Studio and she taught us how to paint different herbs inspired by an English country garden. To begin, Ana showed us the different techniques to paint rosemary, sage, mint, and basil and then we got to create our own masterpieces:

My mom, sister, and I would definitely not fall under the category of artistically skilled and have never painted with watercolor before. However, we all jumped at the opportunity to take this class because it was local and seemed like something we could enjoy together. I am so glad that we did and left the class with work that we were proud of and an eagerness to take more classes with Ana again.

Ana is an amazing local artist who founded Falcon Grove Studio during the pandemic to help promote a feeling of safety and wellness at home through art. She is so gifted, kind, and genuine and we all felt lucky to have her as our teacher. Her words inspired each of the students in the class and I loved how she told us that art is special because it’s the way your own body moves to create something. As someone who isn’t good at art, it was so encouraging to hear that you are still making something meaningful.

As I said, I had never painted watercolor before and I had a blast. It was such a unique experience and I was blown away by this whole world that I knew existed but never tried for myself. Ana taught us how to mix colors and use the water to enhance our art and it was so cool to see colors transform from something as simple as adding a touch of yellow or red and a “juicy brush” loaded with water.

For my project, I chose to paint basil and sage and I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out. Are they museum level works of art? No way lol. BUT, I thought that it was a pretty damn good first try. Not only did I feel proud of what I painted but I also felt excited to try painting more and I think that definitely qualifies as a GREAT SUCCESS (Borat voice).

Ana offers a variety of different courses in person and online and I simply cannot wait to work with her again. I also have ideas swirling in my head for some commissioned pieces by her! Please check out her social media and Etsy page at the following and support this fabulous local artist:

Facebook: Falcon Grove Studio
Instagram: @falcongrovestudio
Etsy: Falcon Grove Studio

What is your favorite medium of art? Have you ever taken any art classes before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun13

Educational Activities Your Kids Can Do This Summer

Posted on June 13, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Educational Activities Your Kids Can Do This Summer

Summer vacation is in full force, so your kids are home from school. You’re probably enjoying the extra time with them, but you may also be wondering how to keep their brains sharp during the break! Here are some educational activities to help your kids keep learning and have fun during the summer vacation:

Read books:

Reading is a great way to pass the time and learn new things, you can discover this content on ABCmouse, whether it be about other cultures, places, history, or even languages. There are many stories for kids and adults alike, so if you want an activity you can do together, this is one for you.

Reading with your kids can benefit them in several ways: it helps them improve their reading skills; it allows them to connect with others through literature; it improves their vocabulary and comprehension; it provides an outlet for creativity through writing and illustration; and much more. You can make reading fun by adding games to their reading experience. For example, you can use a word family activity sheet as reading prompts, helping them to choose books based on a word, colors, and other items.

Get online:

Your kids probably already spend a silly amount of time in front of their screens. So why not use it for something good? Rather than playing Fortnite or some other game that sucks their pocket money dry, you can boost their understanding of core school subjects with apps and online resources from ABCmouse. This popular online platform offers engaging supplemental material for all school subjects, preparing your kids better for when they return after summer.

Journal:

Summer is the time for your child to have fun and relax. But it’s also important for them to go into the next school year with new experiences and knowledge. One way to help accomplish this goal is by journaling. An activity that requires minimal supplies (if any), journaling can be done anywhere, anytime even if you’re on vacation or stuck inside during bad weather. It’s easy enough for kids as young as five, but older kids will find it just as beneficial.

Journaling encourages creativity while helping children develop other skills such as organization, reflection, and increased vocabulary through writing on topics they find interesting (and learning how to spell those words). Plus, it is excellent practice for essay assignments.

Take a field trip:

If your child is interested in a particular subject, try taking them on an educational field trip to explore it further. Field trips provide the opportunity for learning about history and culture and practical skills like cooking and art.

If you are going on vacation, you can turn this experience into not just a relaxing holiday but an educational one. You don’t have to dedicate all of your vacation to learning, but you can take your children on a trip while on vacation to learn more about the place you are visiting, whether that is going to a museum, taking a tour, or just enjoying the culture while you are there.

Learn a new skill:

Learning a new skill can be challenging, but it’s also fun! When kids learn something they enjoy, they are more likely to want to do it again and again. This makes it easier for them to get better at whatever they are doing, making learning more enjoyable. It is even better if it is a skill that they have an interest in from the beginning, like art, cooking, or music.

It may also be beneficial for your child to learn about new concepts, ideas, and ways of learning during the summer to keep them busy. With the help of professionals like David Krakoff Lancaster, your child is sure to be more motivated than ever and working towards new discoveries of personal development.

Go on a scavenger hunt:

There’s nothing like a scavenger hunt to engage kids around the world. If you’re doing this with younger kids, make a list of items they can find and bring them back to you. For example, a leaf from a tree or a dandelion.

It’s also important that your activity isn’t too challenging or overwhelming for their age group. If you want something more educational, consider including objects such as shapes or numbers to teach them something new along the way. It’ll also keep them interested throughout the process since it’s always lovely when an activity feels rewarding for everyone involved!

Create a learning fort:

One of the best ways to excite your kids about learning is to create a fun space to learn in. Forts are cool and can be used in different ways. You can read a book while sitting under it, play a game like hide-and-seek inside it, and let your imagination soar in its construction. Whether it’s a classic pillow fort, made of cardboard boxes, or built in nature a fort will provide lots of entertainment and opportunities to learn.

You don’t have to break the bank or travel far to keep your kids’ brains busy and sharp over summer break. There are plenty of ways to incorporate learning into everyday life, even if you’re just hanging out in your backyard!

Featured Image By: Sharon McCutcheon

Jun13

The Importance Of Personal Development

Posted on June 13, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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It is often said that the key to success is personal development. This may be a cliche, but it is true. To be successful, you need to work on improving yourself constantly. Personal development has many benefits, including increased productivity, improved relationships, and greater happiness. It is a lifelong process that involves growing and improving one’s skills, knowledge, and character. It can be considered an individual or collective journey of self discovery, in which we strive to become the best version of ourselves.

This blog post will explore the importance of self improvement and discuss some tips for getting started:

Why is personal development significant?

Personal development is essential for several reasons. It can help you improve your skills, manage your time, and make more effective decisions. It can also help you become more self aware, set and achieve goals, and boost your confidence. Careskills Academy offers a range of personal development courses that can help you improve your employability skills and progress in your career.

If you’re looking to change your life, whether it’s getting a new job, starting your own business, or improving your well being, personal development can help you achieve your goals. It is an integral part of our lives and can benefit us in many ways.

The benefits of personal development:

In its broadest sense, personal development can be described as activities that improve self knowledge and identity, develop talents and potential, enhance the quality of life, and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations. At its core, personal growth and wellbeing go hand in hand. Striving for growth by investing in yourself can set you on the path to live a happier, more fulfilling and successful life. When you invest in your personal development, you take charge of your life and decide to improve.

How Can You Improve Yourself?

Self improvement and personal development are important because they allow you to improve upon your weaknesses, learn new skills, and become a better person overall. There are many ways to improve yourself, but some of the most common include:

Educating yourself: One of the best ways to improve yourself is to educate yourself. Read books, take classes, and learn as much as possible about the things that interest you. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to handle whatever life throws your way.

Setting goals: Another great way to improve yourself is by setting goals and working towards them. Whether it’s a short term goal like quitting smoking or a long term goal like getting a college degree, having something to strive for can help you stay motivated and focused.

Getting organized: Getting your life in order can also do wonders for your personal development. Taking the time to declutter your home, manage your schedule, and get rid of anything holding you back can give you a fresh start and a new perspective.

Practicing positive thinking: One of the most important aspects of personal development is learning to think positive thoughts. If you want to be happier and more successful, focusing on the good rather than the bad is essential. When you think negative thoughts, try to replace them with positive ones.

Making time for yourself: In today’s busy world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget to make time for yourself. But if you want to improve your life, it’s essential to take some time each day to do something that makes you happy. Whether taking a yoga class, going for a walk, or reading a good book, making time for yourself is crucial.

Improving yourself is a lifelong journey and beginning to take small steps towards this will help you to become the best version of you!

Featured Image By: Alena Koval

Jun10

Preparing Your Child For Getting A Pet

Posted on June 10, 2022 by lifewithlilred

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Getting a pet is a rite of passage for many children. If you grew up with pets, you might feel like it’s an essential part of childhood. And if you didn’t, perhaps you want to give your children an experience you didn’t get. But it’s important to consider what pet ownership entails before you get one. Making sure your child is ready for the responsibility of a pet is crucial, especially if you don’t want to end up being the only one to care for it. You can prepare your child for getting a pet using a few different techniques:

Start with Toys:

Before taking on the responsibility of caring for a living thing, it’s a good idea for your child to get some practice. One of the ways children often develop key skills such as empathy is through play. Getting your child some toys to care for is a good way to practice some of the things they’ll need to care for a pet. You can get them some Schleich animal figurines or some stuffed toys to role play caring for. Baby dolls can also be an option for taking care of something without the responsibility of actually having to keep something alive.

Give Them Some Other Responsibilities:

Caring for a pet is a big responsibility, so you need to know that your child is ready to take it on. They will need to show that they can manage some responsibilities of their own and keep it up long term too. When you get a pet, your child might help with things like feeding, cleaning, or exercising your pet. But before you go out and get one, they could have a few other chores to show that they’re capable. You can get them to do daily tasks such as making their bed to demonstrate that they can build consistent habits.

Borrow a Pet:

Borrowing a pet from a friend or family member can be a great way to have a practice run. You can have their pet for a day or a few days so you and your child understand the responsibility of caring for a pet. Obviously, some pets are easier to “borrow” than others. A dog will often be happier to spend time with another family than a cat will. You could offer to pet-sit while someone you know is away if you’re looking for a way to trial pet ownership.

Teach How to Behave Around a Pet:

Children need to be able to behave well around a pet to keep both them and the animal safe. Even when they have been taught how to handle an animal, they should still be supervised. It’s crucial to teach your child important things like how to recognize when a pet wants to be left alone, how to pet them gently, and how to avoid upsetting an animal with their behavior. You can do this by talking to them, demonstrating, reading books, or watching videos.

Getting a pet isn’t something you should do lightly. If your child is asking for a pet, make sure you don’t rush into it and get a lot of practice beforehand.

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